The Cost of Driving from Austin, TX to Plano, TX: Gas Prices and Route Options
Are you planning a road trip from Austin to Plano, Texas? It's an exciting adventure, but before hitting the road, it’s essential to determine the cost of the trip. Besides gas, there are tolls, car maintenance, and other expenses to consider. In this blog post, we’ll give you an idea of how much it would cost to drive from Austin to Plano based on current gas prices.
Route Option 1: The Fastest Route
The fastest route from Austin to Plano is via I-35N, and it’s a 215-mile drive. It'll take approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes, depending on traffic and your driving speed. Here’s an estimated cost breakdown for this route:
- Gas Cost: As of writing, the average gas price in Texas is $2.70 per gallon. If your vehicle gets about 25 mpg on the highway, you’ll need around 9 gallons of gas each way. So, that's about $48.60 for one round trip.
- Toll Road Fees: You’ll need to pay toll fees along the way. The tolls depend on the exact exit, but you should budget anywhere from $8 to $15, one way.
- Total Cost: Therefore, driving from Austin to Plano via I-35N would cost around $76.60, excluding food, accommodations, etc.
Route Option 2: The Cheapest Route
If you're on a tight budget and don't mind a few extra minutes of driving, we’ve got you covered. The cheapest route option is via US-79N and TX-21E and is a 260-mile drive. Here’s the estimated cost breakdown for this route:
- Gas Cost: The gas requirements are greater due to the longer route. Therefore, budget for around 12 gallons each way. That's about $64.80 for a round trip.
- Toll Road Fees: There are no toll fees for the roads in this route.
- Total Cost: Thus, taking this route, your round trip from Austin to Plano would cost about $64.80.
Route Option 3: The Scenic Route
If you have plenty of time to spare and want to enjoy the views on the way, then taking a scenic route like US-281N is a great alternative. However, it’s a long drive of about 340 miles and will take you around 5 hours depending on your driving speed. Here’s the estimated cost breakdown:
- Gas Cost: You'll need around 14 gallons of gas each way, costing about $75.60 for the round trip.
- Toll Road Fees: There are no toll fees associated with this route.
- Total Cost: Driving from Austin to Plano via US-281N would cost approximately $75.60.
Final Thoughts
Driving from Austin to Plano is an exciting adventure to undertake. However, before you hit the road, it’s important to budget appropriately to ensure that you don’t run short on funds. You’ll need to consider gas prices, toll fees, food, accommodations, and any other expenses that may arise. By taking these factors into account, you’ll be able to prepare adequately for the trip and enjoy a stress-free drive on any of the route options shared in this blog.