The Cost of a Trip from Athens-Clarke County, GA to Key West, FL: Navigating Gas Prices

Traveling from Athens-Clarke County, Georgia to Key West, Florida can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to calculating the cost of gas for the journey. With gas prices constantly fluctuating, it's important to determine the most cost-effective route to make the most out of your trip.

This article explores the different possible routes for travelers making the trip between Athens-Clarke County, GA and Key West, FL, along with the costs and distances for each option.

Routes to Take

Travelers usually have several options to choose from while taking a trip from Athens-Clarke County, GA to Key West, FL. These routes include:

Route A: Via I-75 S and Florida's I-4 W

This route is the most common and straightforward way to reach Key West from Athens-Clarke County. The route passes through Atlanta, GA, and Orlando, FL, before reaching the destination. The distance of this route is approximately 750 miles, and the estimated driving time is 11.5 hours.

Route B: Via GA-121 S/US-1 S and I-95 S

This route is a more scenic option for travelers who enjoy countryside roads. This route takes you through the historic cities of Savannah and Brunswick in GA, and St. Augustine in FL. The distance of this route is approximately 785 miles, and the estimated driving time is 12 hours.

Route C: Via US-129 S and Florida's I-95 S

This route is a less-traveled path to reach Key West from Athens-Clarke County. The route passes through the city of Macon in GA before moving on to Jacksonville, FL. The estimated distance of this route is approximately 735 miles, and the estimated driving time is 11.5 hours.

Gas Prices and Costs

To calculate the costs of the trip, we must consider the current gas prices in Georgia and Florida. According to the GasBuddy website, the average gas prices in Georgia as of June 2021 is $2.94 per gallon. In Florida, it's $3.03 per gallon. Based on these gas prices, we can calculate the costs of each route.

Route A

The distance of this route is approximately 750 miles. An average car with a gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon will require 30 gallons of gas to complete this trip. With the current gas prices, the estimated cost of this route is $88.20.

Route B

The distance of this route is approximately 785 miles. An average car with a gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon will require 31.4 gallons of gas to complete this trip. With the current gas prices, the estimated cost of this route is $95.05.

Route C

The distance of this route is approximately 735 miles. An average car with a gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon will require 29.4 gallons of gas to complete this trip. With the current gas prices, the estimated cost of this route is $89.12.

Recommended Route

The most cost-effective route from Athens-Clarke County to Key West would be Route A. It not only is the shortest distance and duration but also has the lowest estimated cost of gas.

However, if cost is not a concern, Route B could be a more scenic option as it passes through historic cities and quaint countryside roads.

Conclusion

Traveling from Athens-Clarke County, GA to Key West, FL, can be an exciting journey, but calculating the cost of gas can be daunting. By choosing the most cost-effective route, travelers can save money and enjoy their road trip without worrying about running out of gas money.

Based on the current gas prices, Route A, via I-75 S and Florida's I-4 W, is the most cost-effective route. It's a 750-mile journey with an estimated driving time of 11.5 hours, and the gas cost is approximately $88.20.

Safe travels!