The Cost of Driving from Detroit to Dallas: A Breakdown Based on Current Gas Prices

Planning a road trip from Detroit, Michigan, to Dallas, Texas? With the open road ahead, it's essential to budget effectively for your journey, especially when it comes to gas and potential tolls. Let’s take a closer look at different routes, their distances, travel times, and costs, so you can hit the road with peace of mind.

Route 1: Interstate 70 and Interstate 40

Starting with the most popular route, this path takes you through beautiful landscapes and major cities.

• Distance: 1,200 miles
• Time: approximately 18 hours
• Gas Cost: Current gas prices average around $3.50 per gallon. Assuming your vehicle averages 25 miles per gallon, you'll need about 48 gallons of gas for this trip, resulting in a total gas cost of $168.

Keep in mind that this route does not have significant tolls, making it budget-friendly overall!

Route 2: Interstate 69 and Interstate 40

Another viable option is taking Interstate 69 south to Interstate 40. This route might be slightly longer but offers a scenic and less-traveled experience.

• Distance: 1,250 miles
• Time: approximately 19 hours
• Gas Cost: Given the same gas prices of $3.50 per gallon and a vehicle that averages 25 miles per gallon, you would need about 50 gallons, leading to a total gas cost of $175.

One thing to note is that this route also has minimal tolls, making it a great alternative without significantly impacting your budget.

Route 3: The Coastal Route via I-35

If you want a couple of scenic detours, consider driving down through Ohio and turning south at I-35. This route allows for some memorable stops along the way.

• Distance: 1,300 miles
• Time: approximately 20 hours
• Gas Cost: Again, calculating with current gas prices at $3.50 and a vehicle mileage of 25 miles per gallon, you’ll need about 52 gallons for the entire trip, resulting in a gas cost of $182.

This route has some tolls, mostly around the Ohio region, so factor in an additional $25 for that. Combined, your total for the trip would be around $207.

Summary of Costs

Now that we’ve broken down the costs and routes, here’s a quick recap:

1. I-70 to I-40

   • Distance: 1,200 miles
   • Time: approximately 18 hours
   • Gas Cost: $168

2. I-69 to I-40

   • Distance: 1,250 miles
   • Time: approximately 19 hours
   • Gas Cost: $175

3. Coastal I-35 Route

   • Distance: 1,300 miles
   • Time: approximately 20 hours
   • Gas Cost: $182
   • Tolls: $25
   • Total Cost: $207

Choosing the right route for your road trip from Detroit to Dallas depends on your preferences for scenery, travel time, and budget. So pack your bags, fill up your tank, and enjoy the journey ahead! Safe travels!