Cost of Driving from California to Washington during Current Gas Prices

Driving from California to Washington is a perfect way to experience the beauty of the American west coast. The drive itself has attractions along the way, including mountain ranges, lush forests, and scenic coastlines. However, before embarking on a road trip, it is important to budget for fuel costs, food, and accommodation. In this article, we analyze the cost of driving from California to Washington using the current gas prices. We explore different routes and highlight their distances and costs. Finally, we recommend the best route and provide an estimated cost for the entire trip.

Route Options

There are different ways to drive from California to Washington, and they all have different distances and costs. These options include:

Route 1: Via I-5 North

The most common route from California to Washington is via the I-5 freeway, which runs from San Diego along the Pacific coast up to Seattle. This route covers approximately 1100 miles, with some attractive stops along the way. Most people take at least two days to complete this route.

Route 2: Via US-101 North

For those who want to enjoy the scenic drive along the coast, this route covers the Pacific coastlines of both California and Oregon. However, this route is slower because of the winding roads and slower speed limits. This route covers approximately 1400 miles, and it will take about three days to complete.

Route 3: Via I-84 East

For people looking to cut across Oregon, this route is ideal. It takes you through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and covers approximately 1200 miles. Most people complete this route in two or three days.

Cost Analysis

The cost of driving from California to Washington will depend on several factors, including fuel efficiency, distance, fuel prices, and the cost of accommodations. In this section, we will explore the cost of fuel for each route based on current gas prices in California and Washington.

Route 1: Via I-5 North

Traveling from San Diego along I-5 to Seattle covers a distance of approximately 1100 miles, and with an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, it will require about 45 gallons of gasoline. The current average gas price in California is $4.22 per gallon, and in Washington, it is $3.56 per gallon. So, this trip’s fuel cost will be approximately $189 (45 gallons x $4.22 per gallon) in California and $160 (45 gallons x, $3.56 per gallon) in Washington.

Route 2: Via US-101 North

This route covers approximately 1400 miles along the Pacific coastline, and with an average fuel efficiency of 20 miles per gallon, it will require about 70 gallons of gasoline. Using the current average gas prices in California and Washington, it will cost approximately $298 (70 gallons x $4.22 per gallon) in California and $249 (70 gallons x $3.56 per gallon) in Washington.

Route 3: Via I-84 East

Driving from California to Washington via I-84 East and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area covers approximately 1200 miles, and with an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, it will require about 48 gallons of gasoline. Based on the current average gas prices in California and Washington, it will cost about $203 (48 gallons x $4.22 per gallon) in California and $171 (48 gallons x $3.56 per gallon) in Washington.

Recommended Route

After analyzing the different routes’ distances and fuel costs, we recommend Route 1, which follows I-5 North. This route is the shortest, covering 1,100 miles, and has the lowest fuel cost, at approximately $349 for the entire trip. While Route 2 covers the Pacific coastline, it covers a longer distance, and the fuel cost is higher. Route 3 via I-84 is also an option, but it covers more miles and takes you away from the coast.

Conclusion

Driving from California to Washington is an exciting adventure, but it is essential to budget for fuel, food, and accommodations. There are three main routes that people can take when driving from California to Washington. Each route has its own cost and distance. After analyzing the cost of fuel for each route, we recommend Route 1, via I-5 North, which is the shortest and has the lowest fuel cost. We estimate that the cost of traveling from California to Washington will be approximately $349. However, this estimate does not include the cost of accommodations or food stops along the way. People should plan their budget accordingly to have a smooth and enjoyable trip.