The Cost of Driving From Altoona, Iowa to Dauphin Island, Alabama Based on Current Gas Prices

Saddle up, folks! It's time to hit the road. Dauphin Island, Alabama is calling, and we're answering! But before we start packing our sunscreen and swimsuits, let's take a moment to consider the cost of getting there. After all, there's nothing worse than running out of cash before the vacation even starts.

Route 1: The Direct Route

Our first option is the most direct route, which is to simply hop on I-35 South and drive until we reach our destination. According to Google Maps, the distance between Altoona, Iowa and Dauphin Island, Alabama is approximately 1,050 miles. To complete this route, we must anticipate a driving time of around 15 hours and 40 minutes.

Now, let's talk costs. Based on AAA's current gas prices, we can expect to pay around $2.80 per gallon. Assuming a vehicle that averages 25 miles per gallon, you will need approximately 42 gallons of gas to complete this route. This means that the total cost of gas would be around $117.60.

Tolls are another factor that must be taken into account. Driving through multiple states also means driving through various toll roads. Based on our research, this route has no toll roads, which means that your total travel cost is $117.60.

Route 2: The Scenic Route

If you're not in a rush to get to Dauphin Island and you want to enjoy some breathtaking scenery, this option may be perfect for you. We'll take I-35 South but get off at Exit 33 to follow Highway 60 East. From there, we will follow Highway 6 East until we reach Highway 231 South. Finally, we will take US Highway 84 East to reach our destination. This route has a distance of approximately 1,200 miles and must be driven around 19 hours.

The gas prices and calculations remain the same for this option based on our prior calculation. The only difference is that this route has two toll roads: the Oklahoma Turnpike and the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. The total cost of the gas would be around $117.60, and the tolls can add up to around $11.85.

Route 3: The Coastal Adventure

Our final option is a little longer but allows us to take in beautiful coastal towns and sites. We start by taking I-35 South and getting off at Exit 5A in Texas to follow I-10 East. We then stay on I-10 East until we reach Mobile, Alabama, where we hop on I-65 South for a short time before finally taking Highway 66 South to Dauphin Island. This route has a distance of approximately 1,350 miles and takes around 20 hours and 10 minutes.

As with Route 2, the gas prices are the similar, costing a total of $117.60. This route has three toll roads - the Kansas Turnpike, the Texas Tollway, and the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway - which adds up to around $30.35. With these costs included, the total cost of this route comes to $147.95.

Conclusion

After analyzing three different routes, we've determined that the total cost of gas and tolls varies between $117.60 and $147.95, depending on the route chosen. The direct route is the cheapest option, but the Coastal Adventure offers a picturesque journey. The choice is ultimately yours based on your preferences and budget. Regardless of which route you chose, get ready to make some memories on the way to Dauphin Island!