Driving Cost from California to Pennsylvania

A picture depicting a gas pump

The Cost of a Trip between California and Pennsylvania: Navigating the High Gas Prices

Whether you're looking to visit family, embark on a cross-country road trip, or move across the country, traveling from California to Pennsylvania can be a daunting task. One major factor to consider is the cost of gas, which can eat up a significant portion of your travel budget. In this article, we'll explore the different routes you can take and their associated costs to help you make an informed decision about the best way to travel from the Golden State to the Keystone State.

Possible Routes

Route 1: The Northern Route

The northern route, which takes you through cities like Sacramento, Reno, Salt Lake City, and Denver before heading east toward Pennsylvania, is one popular way to get from California to the East Coast. This route covers a distance of around 2,500 miles and can take anywhere from 38 to 42 hours to complete, depending on traffic and weather conditions. Here's a breakdown of the estimated fuel costs for traveling this route in a vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon and is driven for 10 hours per day:

  • California to Reno (216 miles): $17.28
  • Reno to Salt Lake City (520 miles): $41.60
  • Salt Lake City to Denver (530 miles): $42.40
  • Denver to Lincoln (486 miles): $38.88
  • Lincoln to Des Moines (203 miles): $16.24
  • Des Moines to Peoria (259 miles): $20.72
  • Peoria to Cleveland (417 miles): $33.36
  • Cleveland to Harrisburg (284 miles): $22.72
  • Harrisburg to Philadelphia (98 miles): $7.84

Total fuel cost: $240.24

Route 2: The Southern Route

If you'd rather avoid the cold weather and snow that may come with the northern route, you can opt for the southern route instead. This route takes you through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and eventually Pennsylvania. The distance covered is approximately 2,700 miles, and it can take between 42 and 46 hours to complete. Here's a breakdown of the estimated fuel costs based on the same assumptions as above:

  • California to Phoenix (376 miles): $30.08
  • Phoenix to El Paso (345 miles): $27.60
  • El Paso to San Antonio (562 miles): $44.96
  • San Antonio to Dallas (276 miles): $22.08
  • Dallas to St. Louis (568 miles): $45.44
  • St. Louis to Indianapolis (246 miles): $19.68
  • Indianapolis to Columbus (175 miles): $14.00
  • Columbus to Pittsburgh (185 miles): $14.80
  • Pittsburgh to Harrisburg (177 miles): $14.16
  • Harrisburg to Philadelphia (98 miles): $7.84

Total fuel cost: $240.56

Route 3: The Middle Route

Another option is to take the middle route, which runs through cities like Albuquerque, Kansas City, and Indianapolis before reaching Pennsylvania. This route covers a distance of around 2,500 miles, and it can take anywhere from 41 to 45 hours to complete. Here's the estimated fuel cost based on the same assumptions as above:

  • California to Flagstaff (586 miles): $46.88
  • Flagstaff to Albuquerque (323 miles): $25.84
  • Albuquerque to Amarillo (288 miles): $23.04
  • Amarillo to Wichita (373 miles): $29.84
  • Wichita to Kansas City (199 miles): $15.92
  • Kansas City to St. Louis (248 miles): $19.84
  • St. Louis to Indianapolis (246 miles): $19.68
  • Indianapolis to Columbus (175 miles): $14.00
  • Columbus to Pittsburgh (185 miles): $14.80
  • Pittsburgh to Harrisburg (177 miles): $14.16
  • Harrisburg to Philadelphia (98 miles): $7.84

Total fuel cost: $231.76

Based on the estimated fuel costs and the distance covered, the middle route seems to be the most cost-effective option for those traveling between California and Pennsylvania. Not only is it cheaper than the other two routes by a small margin, but it also covers a similar distance. Additionally, if you're traveling during the winter months, this route may be less prone to weather-related delays and hazards than the northern route.

Conclusion

Traveling from California to Pennsylvania can be expensive, especially if gas prices are high. By comparing the estimated costs and distances of the different routes, however, you can make an informed decision about which one is best for you. Remember to factor in additional expenses like food, lodging, and tolls when calculating your travel budget. Safe travels!