The Cost of a Trip Between California and New Mexico: Navigating Current Gas Prices
Traveling from California to New Mexico offers a bevy of options for a thrilling vacation or a smooth business trip. With sprawling landscapes and a rich history, the road trip from California to New Mexico has become increasingly popular over the years. However, like with every trip, the major concern is the cost. Gas prices can fluctuate constantly and deeply affect the expenses associated with the journey. In this article, we’ll break down all available routes between California and New Mexico and their prices based on current gas prices. By using our guide, you’ll have all the information you need to plan the most cost-efficient trip possible.
Possible Routes
There are a few routes that drivers can take when traveling from California to New Mexico, with varying distances and costs involved.
Route 1: I-40 E
The first and most common route is to take I-40 E from California to New Mexico. This route takes you through the beautifully scenic Mojave Desert before winding through breathtaking northwestern Arizona and into New Mexico. This route is not only the most direct, but it is also the fastest route, as I-40 is the newest freeway between the cities.
Route 2: US 95 and I-40 E
The second route drivers can take is to cut through Nevada by using US 95 before connecting with I-40 E. This route saves you a few miles in total but would be slightly slower than the first option.
Route 3: US 60 E
The third option is to take US 60 E from California to Arizona before joining I-10 E and then turning onto I-25 N, which will take you through Albuquerque and eventually reach Santa Fe or anywhere else along the route. This route is the longest with one of the highest travel expenses, mainly due to the long distance and the numerous miles of driving through Arizona.
Route 4: CA-62 and I-10 E
The fourth route is to take CA-62 to I-10 E and eventually connect with I-25 N. This route is best suited to those who want to take their time on the way to New Mexico and avoid the more hectic traffic that they might encounter on the other highways.
Cost Breakdown
Now that we've covered all the possible routes, let's evaluate the cost of each one to help you decide which route is suited to your needs. Here's a breakdown of the costs associated with each route based on the current gas prices:
Route 1: I-40 E
If you take I-40 E from California to New Mexico, you’ll be traveling a total distance of approximately 950 miles. Considering the average gas prices in California and New Mexico, you could expect to spend around $195 to $280. If you drive a car that has a fuel economy of 30 combined MPG and a gas tank capacity of 13 gallons, you will need to fill up your tank four times during the trip.
Route 2: US 95 and I-40 E
If you take US 95 before connecting with I-40 E, you’ll be traveling a total distance of approximately 1,050 miles. This route may save you a few miles, but you may have to pay an average gas price of $2.80 per gallon. The cost of the trip might, therefore, range from $245 to $305, depending on the make and model of your car.
Route 3: US 60 E
If you take US 60 E, the total driving distance between California and New Mexico will increase to approximately 1,300 miles. With the distance to cover and fuel efficiency factored in, drivers could expect to spend roughly $320 to $430 to complete this trip. You will need to fill up your gas tank six times during the trip.
Route 4: CA-62 and I-10 E
If you take CA-62 and I-10 E, the total distance you will cover is approximately 1,200 miles. The cost of gasoline on this route is roughly $180 to $310, primarily because of the long distance and the lower gas prices in California and higher prices in Arizona. With fuel efficiency in mind, the cost of the trip could range between $215 to $370.
Recommendation
Based on the cost breakdown of all available routes, I-40 E is considered the most cost-efficient and fastest route. It has the shortest distance and fewer gas stations at higher prices when compared to the other routes. Route 2 would be the second choice if you’re looking to save a few miles on the more minor highways.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cost of a trip from California to New Mexico varies based on the cost of gas at the time of travel and the route taken. The cost of gas for each route, as calculated in this article, is an indication only and could change with the gas price fluctuations. The recommendation is to take the most direct route, I-40 E, to save on time and gas bills. Travelers should always look for ways to increase fuel efficiency to save further costs and not forget to secure the necessary documents and safety arrangements before embarking on any journey. Happy travels!