The Cost of a Road Trip Between Austin, Texas and Daytona Beach, Florida
As summer approaches, the idea of planning a cross-country road trip is on many people's minds. One popular route is from Austin, Texas to Daytona Beach, Florida. In this article, we'll break down the cost of this road trip by discussing possible routes, gas prices, and other expenses.
Possible Routes
There are different routes to take when driving from Austin, Texas to Daytona Beach, Florida. To be able to compare the costs of each route, we will consider a standard sedan car that has a 12-gallon fuel tank and averagely gets 30 miles per gallon. Along with the distances, the gas prices used in this article are based on the national average as of May 2021.
Route 1: Via I-10 East and I-75 South
The first option is to take I-10 East and I-75 South. This route covers approximately 1,065 miles, and with our assumption for fuel efficiency, requires around 36 gallons of gas. The price per gallon averages about $2.85, for a total of $102.60 in fuel costs.
Route 2: Via I-10 East and I-95 South
Another option is to take I-10 East and I-95 South. This route covers about 1,188 miles and requires approximately 40 gallons of gas based on our fuel efficiency assumption. The national average gas price applied to this route is $2.85 per gallon, for a total fuel cost of $114.00.
Route 3: Via I-20 East and I-95 South
A third route involves taking I-20 East and I-95 South. This option covers about 1,228 miles and requires around 41 gallons of gas. The total fuel cost is $117.45 based on our estimate of $2.85 per gallon.
Other Expenses
Aside from fuel costs, there are additional expenses to be considered when taking a road trip. These expenses can sometimes be overlooked, but they are still important to factor in when budgeting for a trip.
Lodging
When it comes to lodging, a hotel room typically costs between $60 and $150 per night, depending on the quality of the accommodation and location. For our assumed trip, we will budget $80 per night for lodging, for an estimated cost of $320 (assuming four nights on the road).
Food
The cost of food can also vary depending on one's preferences and the location of the stops made along the way. The average cost of a meal at a fast-food restaurant is approximately $7-$8 per person, while a sit-down restaurant costs around $15-$30 per person. For this article, we will assume that two people will spend approximately $20 per meal, making the total food cost approximately $320 (assuming four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners).
Tolls and Miscellaneous Expenses
Lastly, tolls and miscellaneous expenses, such as parking fees, will also be encountered during the trip. This amount can vary widely and should be factored into the budget. For tolls, the average cost per mile is about 6.6 cents, which would make the total toll cost for this trip approximately $80. For miscellaneous expenses, we'll assume an average of $50 for parking and other expenses.
Final Costs
Adding all the expenses together, we get a rough cost estimate for the road trip:
| Route 1 | Route 2 | Route 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | $102.60 | $114.00 | $117.45 |
| Lodging | $320 | $320 | $320 |
| Food | $320 | $320 | $320 |
| Tolls | $80 | $80 | $80 |
| Miscellaneous | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Total | $893.60 | $884.00 | $887.45 |
From the table above, driving Route 2 is the cheapest option, costing $884.00 in total, a small difference from the most expensive option, Route 1.
Conclusion
In general, a road trip from Austin, Texas to Daytona Beach, Florida can be done for around $900, depending on various factors such as food preferences and the quality of accommodations. The cheapest route is Route 2, but all three routes are nearly the same in terms of cost. Ultimately, the right route to take depends on personal preferences and goals for the trip. Regardless of the final decision, budgeting and planning ahead of time can help ensure a successful and memorable road trip.