The Cost of Driving From California to Alabama: A Detailed Look
Have you ever thought about taking a road trip from California to Alabama? Maybe you want to visit family or friends, or maybe you just want to explore a new part of the country. Whatever your reason, one of the most important things to consider before hitting the road is the cost of the trip. In this post, we'll take a detailed look at the cost of driving from California to Alabama based on current gas prices.
Route 1: Taking I-40 East
One popular route for driving from California to Alabama is taking I-40 East. This route spans over 1,900 miles and usually takes around 29 hours without stops. The distance can vary depending on where you start in California, but we'll assume you're starting in Los Angeles. The cost of gas can vary depending on where you fill up, but we'll use the current average gas price in California of $3.93/gallon.
The total cost of gas for this route would be around $280, assuming your vehicle gets 25 miles per gallon and you don't encounter any traffic or detours. There are also a few tolls along the way, including a $7 toll at the Arizona-New Mexico border and a $10 toll in Oklahoma. This brings the total cost to around $297.
Route 2: Taking I-10 East
Another option for getting from California to Alabama is taking I-10 East. This route is slightly longer, spanning over 2,100 miles and usually taking around 32 hours without stops. Starting in Los Angeles, the cost of gas would be the same as on the previous route, but there are fewer tolls along the way.
The total cost of gas for this route would be around $330, assuming the same 25 miles per gallon. With tolls added in, the total cost would be around $347.
Route 3: Taking US-50 East
If you're looking for a more scenic route, you can try taking US-50 East from California to Alabama. This route passes through several national parks and spans over 2,100 miles. The total time for this route can be longer due to its scenic nature - it usually takes around 40 hours without stops. For this route, we'll assume you're starting in Sacramento.
The cost of gas on this route would be slightly lower due to its more rural nature. Assuming the same 25 miles per gallon, the total cost of gas would be around $310. There are no tolls along this route, so the total cost would also be $310.
Conclusion
As you can see, the cost of driving from California to Alabama can vary depending on the route you take. The shortest and fastest route is taking I-40 East, which has the lowest total cost at around $297. However, if you're looking for a more scenic route, taking US-50 East might be worth the extra cost of around $310. Regardless of which route you choose, make sure to budget for gas and tolls to ensure a stress-free trip. Happy travels!