The Cost of Your Road Trip: Baltimore to San Diego

If you're considering a long road trip from Baltimore to San Diego, there are a few important factors to consider before hitting the open road. One of the biggest questions on your mind might be what it will cost you to make the trek. With fluctuating gas prices and various routes to choose from, the cost of driving from Baltimore, Maryland, to San Diego, California can vary quite a bit. Here's what you need to know.

Route 1: East Coast Route

One option for traveling from Baltimore to San Diego is to take the East Coast route. If you choose this route, you'll head south from Baltimore to join I-95 and follow it down to Richmond, Virginia. From there, you'll continue west on I-64, eventually joining I-81 and then I-40 in Tennessee. This route will take you through Nashville, Memphis, and Little Rock before you hit Oklahoma City and eventually Albuquerque. From there, you'll head west through Arizona before reaching California and San Diego.

The East Coast route is the longest of the three options, totaling roughly 2,700 miles and taking around 42 hours of travel time. With gas prices currently hovering at around $3.00 per gallon, you can expect to spend around $405 on gas for this trip. Additionally, this route includes a number of tolls, which could add up to an additional $50 or more in expenses.

Route 2: Midwestern Route

Another option for traveling from Baltimore to San Diego is to take the Midwestern route. This option will have you heading westward from Baltimore through Pennsylvania and Ohio before joining I-70 and heading west through Indiana and Illinois. You'll eventually pass through St. Louis before hitting Kansas City and then moving on through Denver and Albuquerque before finally arriving in San Diego.

The Midwestern route is about 2,400 miles long and takes around 37 hours of travel time. With gas prices currently hovering around $3.00 per gallon, you can expect to spend around $360 on gas for this trip. Toll costs are minimal with this route.

Route 3: Southern Route

A third option for traveling from Baltimore to San Diego is taking the Southern route. This option will have you traveling down I-95 through Virginia and the Carolinas before heading westward to Atlanta, Georgia. From there, you'll follow I-20 to Dallas before heading southwest on I-10 and finally arriving in San Diego.

The Southern route is the shortest of the three options, totaling roughly 2,350 miles and taking around 36 hours of travel time. With gas prices currently hovering around $3.00 per gallon, you can expect to spend around $352.50 on gas for this trip. Tolls are minimal on this route.

Conclusion

As with any long road trip, careful planning and budgeting are key to ensuring a smooth journey. By weighing the cost and distance of each route from Baltimore to San Diego, you can make an informed decision about which option is right for you. Whether you choose to take the East Coast, Midwestern, or Southern route, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip!