How Much Does it Cost to Drive from California to Rhode Island?

Are you planning to drive from California to Rhode Island? This is a long road trip, covering a distance of over 3,000 miles and more than 40 hours of driving time. Driving cross-country can be a great adventure and a way to see the country, but it can also be an expensive endeavor. Before you pack up the car, it's important to have an idea of how much the trip will cost.

Route 1: Across the United States

The most direct route from California to Rhode Island is straight across the country. This route involves driving through eight different states and takes approximately 40 hours to complete. The total distance you will cover is about 3,084 miles.

Gas prices: The average gas price in the United States as of August 2021 is $3.13 per gallon.
The average car gets around 25 miles per gallon on the highway, so you would need approximately 123.36 gallons of gas to complete this trip.
This means that the estimated cost of gas would be around $386.68.

In addition to gas, there are also tolls and travel expenses to consider. The cost of tolls will vary depending on the state and the specific roads you take. However, it's safe to estimate that you'll spend at least $100 on tolls along the way.

Total cost: Gas ($386.68) + Tolls ($100) = $486.68

Route 2: Through the South

If you want to take a more scenic drive and avoid some of the traffic in the Northeast, you can take a route through the South. This route will add some extra miles to your trip, but it might be worth it for the sights and experiences along the way. The route involves driving through nine different states and should take around 48 hours to complete. The total distance covered is about 3,400 miles.

Gas prices: The gas prices will be similar to Route 1, since you'll be driving through many of the same states.
With an average of 25 miles per gallon, you'll need about 136 gallons of gas to complete this route, which comes to an estimated cost of around $426.68.
As with Route 1, tolls will vary, but the cost should be similar.

Total cost: Gas ($426.68) + Tolls ($100) = $526.68

Route 3: Through the Midwest

For a truly unique experience, you could take a route through the Midwest. This route involves driving through ten different states and should take around 46 hours to complete. The total distance covered is about 3,350 miles.

Gas prices: The gas prices in the Midwest are generally slightly cheaper than the national averages. As of August 2021, the average gas price in the Midwest is around $2.96 per gallon.
With an average of 25 miles per gallon, you'll need around 134 gallons of gas to complete this route. The estimated gas cost would be about $396.64.
Tolls will vary, but they should be similar to the other routes.

Total cost: Gas ($396.64) + Tolls ($100) = $496.64

Conclusion

Driving from California to Rhode Island can be a lengthy and expensive endeavor, but with careful planning, it can also be an adventure and a way to see the country. The cost of the trip will vary depending on the route you choose, the gas prices at the time of your journey, and the tolls you encounter along the way. Use these estimates to budget for your trip and make the most of your cross-country excursion!