The Cost of Driving from Austin, Texas to Milwaukee, Wisconsin

If you're planning a road trip from Austin, Texas to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, there are a few routes you can take. Each route has its own distance, time, and cost, so it's important to do some research before hitting the road. With current gas prices on the rise, it's more important than ever to budget for your trip.

The Northern Route: through Oklahoma City, Kansas City, and Des Moines

The first route is the northern route, which takes you through Oklahoma City, Kansas City, and Des Moines. This route is about 1,000 miles, and takes about 16 hours to drive without traffic. You will need to budget for gas, and possibly tolls in Kansas. According to GasBuddy, the current average gas price in Texas is around $2.63 per gallon and in Wisconsin it's around $2.71 per gallon. Let's assume you get around 27 miles per gallon and will need roughly 37 gallons of gas for the trip. This brings the total cost of gas for this route to around $97. Assuming you don't encounter any tolls, this brings the total cost of the northern route to around $97.

The Central Route: through Little Rock, St. Louis, and Springfield

The second route is the central route, which takes you through Little Rock, St. Louis, and Springfield. This route is about 950 miles, and takes about 15 hours to drive without traffic. You will also need to budget for gas and possibly tolls in Oklahoma. With the same gas mileage assumption and current gas prices, the total cost of gas for this route comes out to around $94, bringing the total cost of the central route to around $94.

The Southern Route: through Beaumont, Baton Rouge, and Memphis

The third route is the southern route, which takes you through Beaumont, Baton Rouge, and Memphis. This route is about 1,050 miles, and takes about 17 hours to drive without traffic. Gas is a bit more expensive in Louisiana, around $2.81 per gallon, but still around $2.63 per gallon in Texas. With the same gas mileage assumption, the total cost of gas for this route comes out to around $102, bringing the total cost of the southern route to around $102.

Conclusion

No matter which route you choose, budgeting for gas and possibly tolls is essential. The northern and southern routes have a similar cost but the central route comes out as the cheapest option. Don't forget to also factor in food and lodging costs during your trip. Happy travels!