The Cost of a Cross-Country Road Trip: California to Ohio

Are you considering a road trip from California to Ohio but don't know how much it will cost? With gas prices constantly fluctuating, it can be difficult to get an accurate estimate of the cost of your trip. This article will break down the prices of different routes and give you a better idea of how much you'll be spending.

Possible Routes

Before we can determine the cost of your trip, we must first consider the possible routes. Here are three common ways to get from California to Ohio:

Route 1: I-40 and I-44

This route takes you through some beautiful scenery including the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest National Park, and the Ozarks. The total distance is roughly 2,335 miles. Here's a breakdown of the cities you'll pass through and the distance between them:

Los Angeles, California to Flagstaff, Arizona: 372 miles
Flagstaff, Arizona to Albuquerque, New Mexico: 322 miles
Albuquerque, New Mexico to Amarillo, Texas: 285 miles
Amarillo, Texas to Tulsa, Oklahoma: 365 miles
Tulsa, Oklahoma to St. Louis, Missouri: 319 miles
St. Louis, Missouri to Springfield, Missouri: 215 miles
Springfield, Missouri to Joplin, Missouri: 70 miles
Joplin, Missouri to Springfield, Ohio: 714 miles
Springfield, Ohio to Columbus, Ohio: 50 miles

Route 2: I-80

This route takes you along the northern part of the United States. While it may not be as scenic as our first route, it's a quicker trip. The total distance is approximately 2,300 miles. Here's a breakdown of the cities you'll pass through and the distance between them:

San Francisco, California to Reno, Nevada: 219 miles
Reno, Nevada to Salt Lake City, Utah: 518 miles
Salt Lake City, Utah to Cheyenne, Wyoming: 441 miles
Cheyenne, Wyoming to Omaha, Nebraska: 497 miles
Omaha, Nebraska to Des Moines, Iowa: 135 miles
Des Moines, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois: 328 miles
Chicago, Illinois to Cleveland, Ohio: 341 miles
Cleveland, Ohio to Columbus, Ohio: 126 miles

Route 3: I-70

This route takes you through the heart of the country and offers a mixture of scenery. The total distance is roughly 2,300 miles. Here's a breakdown of the cities you'll pass through and the distance between them:

San Francisco, California to Denver, Colorado: 1,243 miles
Denver, Colorado to Kansas City, Missouri: 599 miles
Kansas City, Missouri to Indianapolis, Indiana: 447 miles
Indianapolis, Indiana to Dayton, Ohio: 104 miles

Gas Prices

Now that we've discussed the possible routes, let's take a look at gas prices. According to GasBuddy, the average gas prices for regular fuel as of October 2021 is $3.10/gallon. Of course, gas prices can vary depending on where you are, and prices may have changed since this article was written. It's important to keep an eye on gas prices before and during your trip.

Calculating the Cost

To calculate the cost of the trip, let's use the total distances of each route and multiply it by the average gas price per gallon.

Route 1: I-40 and I-44

The total distance of this route is 2,335 miles. If we divide the total distance by a car's average fuel efficiency, say 25 miles per gallon, we get 93.4 gallons of gas. At $3.10 per gallon, we get a total cost of $289.34 for gas.

Route 2: I-80

The total distance of this route is 2,300 miles. If we divide the total distance by a car's average fuel efficiency, say 25 miles per gallon, we get 92 gallons of gas. At $3.10 per gallon, we get a total cost of $285.20 for gas.

Route 3: I-70

Recommendation

Based on the calculations, it seems that Route 1 and Route 2 have similar costs. However, Route 2 is slightly shorter and more direct. Therefore, if you're looking for a quicker route, we recommend taking Route 2.

Conclusion

In conclusion, taking a road trip from California to Ohio can be a fun adventure. By using the average gas price and the total distance of each route, we were able to calculate the approximate cost of each trip. If you're looking for the quickest route, we recommend taking Route 2. Whatever route you choose, don't forget to plan ahead, stay safe, and have fun on your journey!