Road Trip to Austin, Texas: The Costs of Driving from Amarillo

If you're looking to take a road trip in Texas, driving from Amarillo to Austin can be a great adventure. But before you pack up your car and hit the road, it's important to know the costs involved in making the trip. Gas prices and tolls can add up, so let's take a closer look at the different routes you can take and the costs associated with each one.

Route 1: The I-35 Corridor

The most direct route from Amarillo to Austin is along the I-35 corridor. This route is approximately 400 miles long and can take anywhere from 6 to 7 hours depending on traffic conditions and your average speed.

According to GasBuddy, the average gas price in Texas is currently $2.70 per gallon. If your car gets an average of 25 miles per gallon, you would need 16 gallons of gas for the trip. That means you would spend $43.20 on gas for the round trip.

There are also tolls to consider along the way. If you take the full length of the 85-mile stretch of State Highway 130, you will pay $13.54 in toll fees each way, making the total cost of tolls $27.08 for the round trip.

So, the total cost of taking the I-35 corridor route would be approximately $70.28 for gas and tolls.

Route 2: The Scenic Route

If you're in no hurry to get to Austin and want to take a more scenic route, consider taking US-287 and then hopping onto US-281 south towards Austin. This route is approximately 530 miles long and takes about 8 hours without stops.

Using the same gas price and car calculations as before, you would need about 21 gallons of gas for the trip at a cost of $56.70 for the round trip.

There are no tolls on this route, but you may encounter some road work or slower speed limits, so it's important to budget extra time for the journey.

With gas being the only expense on this route, the total cost would be approximately $56.70.

Route 3: The Budget Route

If budget is a concern, you can try taking the US-183 south to US-281 south towards Austin. This route is approximately 430 miles long and can take around 8 hours.

With the same gas price and car calculations as before, you would need about 17 gallons of gas for the trip at a cost of $45.90 for the round trip.

There are no tolls on this route and it may have some scenic countryside views. This makes the total cost of taking the US-183 and US-281 route approximately $45.90.

Conclusion

No matter which route you choose, driving from Amarillo to Austin can be a fun and memorable experience. With gas prices and tolls to consider, it's important to budget for these costs before you hit the road. No matter what route you take, remember to always drive safely, take breaks when needed and enjoy the ride!