Driving from Baltimore, Maryland to Wichita, Kansas: A Cost Breakdown

Are you thinking of taking a road trip from Baltimore to Wichita? It's a long journey that covers over 1,100 miles, but the drive can be an unforgettable experience. However, before hitting the open road, you need to calculate the total cost of the trip. In this blog post, we'll provide you with a detailed cost breakdown for each route option based on current gas prices and toll prices.

Route 1: I-70 W

The first option is to take the I-70 W route that passes through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. This is the most direct route, with a total distance of approximately 1,161 miles. At an average speed of 60 mph, it should take you around 18 hours to reach your destination.

The cost of gas for this trip is estimated at $173.39 based on an average gas price of $3.89 per gallon. Additionally, the tolls amount to approximately $70, which brings the total cost to $243.39.

Route 2: I-68 W and I-64 W

Another option is to take a longer but more scenic route. The journey will take you through West Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri. Starting on I-68 W, you’ll cross the Appalachian Mountains on your way to Morgantown, West Virginia, before switching to I-79 S. From there, you’ll head towards Charleston, West Virginia, which will lead you to I-64 W. The final stretch of the journey will take you through Missouri into Kansas. The total distance of this route is approximately 1,255 miles.

The journey may take an extra hour or two because of the curvy roads and slower speed limits. At an average speed of 55 mph, it should take you about 22 hours to reach Wichita. The cost of gas for this trip is estimated at $190.19. You’ll have to pay a total of $48 in tolls. This brings the total cost to $238.19.

Route 3: I-70 W and I-64 W

Finally, you could opt for a combination of Route 1 and Route 2. Start on I-70 W, cross the Appalachian Mountains on I-68 W, then switch to I-79 S until you reach Morgantown, West Virginia. From there, you’ll merge onto I-68 W, which will take you to I-64 W. The final stretch of the journey will take you through Missouri into Kansas. The total distance of this route is approximately 1,342 miles.

At an average speed of 60 mph, it should take you around 21 hours to reach Wichita. The cost of gas for this trip is estimated at $202.50. Additionally, the tolls amount to approximately $70, which brings the total cost to $272.50.

Conclusion

No matter which route you choose, you’ll have to take into consideration the travel time, distance, gas prices, and toll prices. Driving from Baltimore, Maryland, to Wichita, Kansas, can be a long trip, but with the right preparation, it can be an exceptional journey. We hope that this cost breakdown has helped you prepare for your trip and makes it easier for you to calculate your expenses.