Driving from Denver to Long Beach: A Cost Breakdown Based on Current Gas Prices

Planning a road trip from the Mile High City to the sunny shores of Long Beach? It’s a fantastic journey that offers stunning landscapes and iconic sights along the way. But before you hit the road, you'll want to know how much it will cost to drive this adventure. In this post, we will cover various routes you can take, their distances, durations, and overall costs based on current gas prices.

Route 1: I-70 West to I-15 South

One of the most popular routes is taking I-70 West to I-15 South. This route provides some captivating views through the Rockies, followed by a scenic descent into the desert.

Distance: approximately 1,020 miles
Time: about 15 hours without breaks
Cost: With current gas prices averaging around $3.50 per gallon, the fuel cost can be roughly estimated. Assuming your vehicle gets 25 miles per gallon, you would need about 40.8 gallons of gas. This brings your total fuel cost to around $143.00.

Additionally, you might encounter a few tolls, especially in areas around Las Vegas. Be prepared to spend about $20.00 on tolls, bringing your overall cost for this route to approximately $163.00.

Route 2: I-25 South to I-40 West

Another option is to take I-25 South to I-40 West, which allows you to pass through delightful towns in New Mexico before heading towards California.

Distance: approximately 1,060 miles
Time: about 16 hours without breaks
Cost: With similar gas prices at $3.50 per gallon and a vehicle efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, you would need about 42.4 gallons of gas. This leads to a fuel cost of roughly $148.40.

This route has fewer tolls, primarily in New Mexico, so plan to spend about $10.00 on tolls. Therefore, your estimated total for this route would be around $158.40.

Route 3: Scenic Highway 395

For those who want a more picturesque journey, consider Highway 395, following a slightly longer but incredibly beautiful route through the Sierra Nevadas.

Distance: approximately 1,120 miles
Time: around 18 hours without breaks
Cost: Keeping gas prices at $3.50 per gallon and calculating for a vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon, you’ll need approximately 44.8 gallons of gas. This equals about $156.80 in fuel costs.

Remarkably, Highway 395 doesn’t have tolls, which means no extra costs there! So, your driving expenses for this stunning route would total around $156.80.

Conclusion

Embarking on a road trip from Denver to Long Beach can be an enjoyable experience with the right planning. Depending on the route you choose, expect to spend between $158.40 to $163.00 on fuel and tolls. So, load up your car, crank up your favorite tunes, and drive to the beautiful California coast! Safe travels!