The Cost of Driving from Austin, Texas to Portsmouth City, Virginia

Are you planning a road trip from Austin, Texas to Portsmouth City, Virginia? It's important to calculate the cost of driving before hitting the road. Gas is a significant expense, but there are other considerations such as the distance, time, and tolls that should be accounted for. Here are some options for different routes and their associated costs.

Route 1: I-35N and I-40E - 1,375 miles, approximately 20 hours

This is the most direct route from Austin to Portsmouth City. To start, take I-35N and exit to I-40E. This route takes you through the southern Great Plains, past Little Rock, Tennessee, and Georgia before reaching Virginia. Expect to have to pay tolls for this route.

The total gas cost for this route is approximately $210, based on gas prices averaging $2.80/gallon and an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon.

Tolls for this route typically cost $7.55 to cross the Oklahoma Turnpike, $3.75 for a bridge over the Arkansas River, $7.90 for the Tennessee River Bridge in Tennessee, and $3.25 for the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia. The toll combined with the gas cost for this route is around $233.45.

Route 2: I-20E and I-81N - 1,455 miles, approximately 22 hours

This is an alternative scenic route from Austin to Portsmouth City. Take I-20E, head northeast from Fort Worth through Dallas, then take I-81N east from Knoxville, passing through Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. This route is more mountainous than Route 1.

The total gas cost for this route is approximately $230, based on gas prices averaging $2.80/gallon and an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon.

Tolls for this route typically cost $3.00 for a bridge over the Tennessee River and $6.00 for the West Virginia Turnpike. The toll combined with the gas cost for this route is around $239.

Route 3: US-79N and I-81N - 1,550 miles, approximately 23 hours

This is a more scenic route that takes you directly through the heart of the South. Follow US-79N to Tennessee and then northward on I-81N. This route has plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and starting in Texas, you'll be able to see plenty of state landmarks.

The total gas cost for this route is approximately $248, based on gas prices averaging $2.80/gallon and an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon.

Tolls for this route include the $3.00 bridge toll over the Tennessee River and the $5.00 Pennsylvania Turnpike toll fee. The toll combined with the gas cost for this route is around $256.

No matter which route you choose, make sure to factor in the cost of gas and tolls to calculate a realistic budget for your trip. Drive safely and have fun on your adventure from Austin, Texas to Portsmouth City, Virginia!