Road Tripping from Abilene, Texas to Portland, Oregon: Cost of Gas and Toll

Are you thinking of embarking on a long road trip from Abilene, Texas to Portland, Oregon? It's a wonderful adventure! But before you get too excited, it's essential to plan your budget. One of the most significant expenses is the cost of gas and toll fees. In this blog post, we'll look at the different routes you could take and how much you should expect to pay in gas and tolls.

Route 1: Abilene, Texas to Portland, Oregon via I-40 W

The first route is via Interstate 40, which will take you through Northern Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada states until you get to Oregon. The total distance to cover on this route is approximately 2,200 miles.

The driving time on this route is about 32 hours non-stop, so you might want to break it down into stopping points. You'll need to budget for gas and two toll fees - one at the Texas-Oklahoma border and the other at Oklahoma's Indian Nation Turnpike.

Based on the current average gas price of $2.90 per gallon and an assumed mileage of 22 mpg for your vehicle, be ready to spend approximately $285.71 on gas. On top of that, the toll fees are approximately $11.10 and $4. Mobile banking solutions such as Google Pay or Venmo will come in handy for cashless payments.

Route 2: Abilene, Texas to Portland, Oregon via I-20 W and I-5 N

The second option is more scenic and takes you slightly longer, but the views are worth it! We're talking about taking I-20 W before connecting to I-5 N (the California freeway) towards Oregon. This route will lead you through West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California state until reaching Oregon.

The total distant is approximately 2,500 miles, with a total drive time of approximately 36 hours. Regarding gas and toll fees, you will have to stop at toll booths in Odessa, Fort Stockton, Maxwell, and LA/Orange County. The total toll fees will add up to about $31.25.

Using the national average from AAA for current gas prices for unleaded gasoline, which is $2.88 per gallon, you will expect to spend approximately $317.39 in gas. It is important to note that the price varies at each gas station you come across, which is why budgeting an extra $30 for gas couldn’t hurt.

Route 3: Abilene, Texas to Portland, Oregon via I-5 N

The third option is the shortest possible distance from Abilene to Portland via I-5 N. However, this route is significantly longer than Route 2 above. You will travel through West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and finally into Oregon. Although the distance to cover is around 2,800 miles, taking this route will undoubtedly deliver the ultimate road trip experience.

With an average gas mileage of 22 mpg as in route 1, the drive will cost you approximately $350 in gas. Once again, toll booths will play a considerable role in budgeting, with the total cost of toll fees charged along the route on this route around $43.90.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it's important to plan your road trip well and make use of technology such as Google Maps and FuelCaster to get up-to-date information on gas prices and routes. Driving from Abilene, Texas to Portland, Oregon is a long trip. However, if you choose the right routes, you can save on gas and enjoy the adventures along the way. To break down your expenses, you can use various toll payment and budgeting apps such as QuickBooks and Personal Capital. Be sure to factor in extra costs such as food, parking and hotel expenses in your overall budget. Happy driving, and safe travels!