Road Trip from Atlanta to New Orleans: Gas Prices and Routes

Who doesn't love a good road trip? There's nothing like packing up the car and hitting the open road with some good tunes and good company. If you're thinking about driving from Atlanta, Georgia to New Orleans, Louisiana, keep reading to learn about the different routes and the cost of each, based on current gas prices.

Route 1: I-20W and I-55S

The first route is a straight shot west on I-20 until you reach Jackson, Mississippi. From there, you'll take I-55 South all the way to New Orleans. This route covers approximately 472 miles and takes around 7 hours to complete, assuming no traffic or breaks.

Based on the current average gas price of $2.89 per gallon, you can expect to spend around $54 on gas for this route, driving a car that gets an average of 25 miles per gallon. There are no tolls on this route.

Route 2: I-85S and I-65S

For a slightly longer but potentially faster route, you could take I-85 South to Montgomery, Alabama, and then switch to I-65 South all the way to New Orleans. This route covers approximately 555 miles and takes around 8.5 hours to complete, assuming no traffic or breaks.

Based on the current average gas price of $2.89 per gallon, you can expect to spend around $66 on gas for this route, driving a car that gets an average of 25 miles per gallon. There are no tolls on this route.

Route 3: I-20W and I-49S

Another option is to take I-20 all the way to Shreveport, Louisiana, then switch to I-49 South down to Lafayette before finally arriving in New Orleans. This route covers approximately 535 miles and takes around 8.5 hours to complete, assuming no traffic or breaks.

Based on the current average gas price of $2.89 per gallon, you can expect to spend around $77 on gas for this route, driving a car that gets an average of 25 miles per gallon. There are also two tolls on this route: the first one is the Greenway (Louisiana Toll Road) for $3.00, and the second is the Lafayette Parish Bayou Bridge for $1.00.

Route 4: Small Towns and Sights

If you have more time and want to see some small Southern towns along the way, you could take a more scenic route. There are several options for this, but one could be to take US-78 West out of Atlanta and through Oxford, Mississippi, before connecting with I-55 South to New Orleans. This route covers approximately 660 miles and takes around 11 hours to complete, assuming no traffic or breaks.

Based on the current average gas price of $2.89 per gallon, you can expect to spend around $99 on gas for this route, driving a car that gets an average of 25 miles per gallon. There are no tolls on this route.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it: four potential routes from Atlanta to New Orleans, with the cost of each based on current gas prices. Remember, there are many factors that could affect the cost, such as the type of car you drive and the current gas prices. Don't forget to factor in food, lodging, and entertainment expenses as well.

Whatever route you choose, make sure to enjoy the journey and the destinations along the way. Happy road tripping!