Driving Cost from Albia, Iowa to Gatlinburg, Tennessee

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The Cost-Effective Route from Albia, Iowa to Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Traveling between different cities requires careful planning, especially when you consider fuel costs. Albia, Iowa, and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, lie 529 miles apart, and your trip might be longer or shorter depending on the route you choose. This article will explore different possible routes, their associated costs, and the pros and cons of each.

Route 1: I-74 to I-40

One of the most popular routes is to follow Iowa State Route 5 east from Albia, then take I-74 south towards Bettendorf. From Bettendorf, take I-80 east towards Davenport, and then merge onto I-74 towards Peoria. After bypassing Indianapolis, take exit 156 for I-65 south towards Montgomery. From Montgomery, take exit 261 for I-85 south towards East Montgomery, then merge onto I-40 east towards Raleigh. Finally, take exit 407 from I-40 and take State Route 66 south into Gatlinburg.

This route is approximately 897 miles long, and the driving time is around 13 hours and 45 minutes. The estimated fuel cost for this route, assuming a vehicle that averages 25 miles per gallon and that gas costs $2.50 per gallon, is about $165 for one-way travel.

Route 2: I-35 to I-40

Another popular route is to take I-35 south from Albia, then merge onto I-44 east towards Springfield. From Springfield, take exit 82B for MO-360 east towards Nixa and merge onto US-65 south towards Branson. From Branson, take US-65 to Harrison, Arkansas, where you can take US-412 east towards Paragould. From there, take US-49 south to I-55 and continue onto I-240 east. Take exit 19 for I-40 east towards Nashville, and finally, take exit 407 from I-40 and take State Route 66 south into Gatlinburg.

This route is approximately 806 miles long, and the driving time is around 12 hours and 30 minutes. The estimated fuel cost for this route, assuming a vehicle that averages 25 miles per gallon and that gas costs $2.50 per gallon, is about $144 for one-way travel.

Route 3: I-40 through Memphis

A third possible route is to take I-40 west from Albia towards Memphis. From Memphis, continue on I-40 east towards Nashville, and take exit 407 from I-40. Then, take State Route 66 south into Gatlinburg.

This route is approximately 773 miles long, and the driving time is around 11 hours and 30 minutes. The estimated fuel cost for this route, assuming a vehicle that averages 25 miles per gallon and that gas costs $2.50 per gallon, is about $139 for one-way travel.

After considering the different options, we recommend Route 2: I-35 to I-40. This route is the shortest, cheapest, and faster if you do not encounter any problems along the way. The journey is around 800 miles, and you can complete the ride in less than 13 hours. It also has the added bonus of taking you through scenic locales like Branson and Paragould.

Conclusion

Traveling from Albia, Iowa, to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, can be an exciting adventure, especially if you take the time to plan ahead and choose the best route. Route 2 is our top recommendation given the cost savings and time taken to complete the journey. Nonetheless, always remember to factor in additional stops for gas, food, and rest as you drive. Happy travels!