Road Trip Budget: Cost of a Trip Between Austin, Texas and Scottsbluff, Nebraska
If you're planning a road trip between Austin, Texas and Scottsbluff, Nebraska, you might be wondering how much it's going to cost you. With gas prices constantly fluctuating, it can be challenging to come up with an accurate estimate. However, we've done some research and have put together some details to help you budget your trip.
Possible Routes
There are a few different routes you can take when driving from Austin to Scottsbluff, each with its own pros and cons. The best route for you will depend on your preferences and priorities.
Route 1: I-35 N to I-80 W
This is the most direct route, covering approximately 1,160 miles. You'll start by taking I-35 N out of Austin and heading north through Dallas and Oklahoma City before connecting with I-70. Finally, you'll take I-80 W through Wyoming and into Nebraska.
The downside to this route is that it's relatively boring, with not much to see along the way. Additionally, while it's the most direct route, it's not necessarily the fastest, as there can be heavy traffic in cities like Dallas and Oklahoma City.
Route 2: US-183 N to US-83 N
This route is longer, at approximately 1,470 miles, but it takes you through some beautiful scenery. From Austin, you'll take US-183 N through central Texas before connecting with US-83 N. This will take you through Oklahoma, Kansas, and eventually into Nebraska.
The benefit of this route is that you'll see some stunning landscapes, including the Flint Hills of Kansas and the Sandhills of Nebraska. However, it's a longer trip and will take you more time to complete.
Route 3: I-35 N to I-70 W
This route covers approximately 1,260 miles and takes you through some major cities, including Dallas, Kansas City, and Denver. From Austin, you'll take I-35 N to Kansas City, then connect with I-70 W and follow it all the way into western Nebraska.
This route is a good balance between the directness of Route 1 and the scenery of Route 2. It's also a bit faster than Route 2, as the highways are generally less congested.
Gas Prices
Of course, one of the most significant factors in the cost of your road trip is fuel prices. According to AAA's Gas Prices website, as of August 2021, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Texas was around $2.75. In Nebraska, it was slightly higher at around $3.10.
Assuming you're driving a vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon, let's look at how much a full tank of gas would cost along each route.
Route 1
Assuming your vehicle has a 15-gallon tank, a full tank of gas would cost around $41.25 in Texas and $46.50 in Nebraska. Altogether, you'd need to fill up about 8 times, bringing your total gas cost to around $750.
Route 2
On this longer route, you'd need to fill up around 11 times. A full tank would cost around $41.25 in Texas and $46.50 in Nebraska, as on Route 1, bringing your total gas cost to around $1,100.
Route 3
Finally, on Route 3, you'd also need to fill up around 11 times. However, gas prices are slightly higher in some of the cities you'll pass through, so you can expect to pay a bit more for fuel. Assuming an average cost of around $2.95 per gallon, you'll end up spending approximately $1,230 on gas.
Other Expenses
Of course, gas isn't the only cost you'll incur on your road trip. You'll also need to budget for food, lodging, and any activities you plan to do along the way.
For food, you can expect to spend around $50 per day per person. If you're traveling with a partner or friend, this means you'll spend around $700 total on food for the trip.
For lodging, you can expect to spend around $100 per night for a mid-range hotel. Assuming you spend around 5 nights in hotels, this brings your lodging cost to around $500.
Finally, if you plan to do any activities or visit any attractions along the way, you'll need to budget for that as well. This will vary depending on what you choose to do, but assuming you spend around $50 per person per day on activities, you'll end up spending around $700 total.
Total Cost
Putting all of this together, let's look at how much a road trip from Austin to Scottsbluff might cost you.
- Gas: $750 - $1,230
- Food: $700
- Lodging: $500
- Activities: $700
- Total: $2,650 - $3,130
Of course, these are just estimates, and your actual costs may be higher or lower depending on how much you spend on each category.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best route for your road trip will depend on your interests and priorities. If you're in a hurry to get to Scottsbluff, Route 1 might be your best bet. However, if you have a bit more time and want to experience some beautiful landscapes along the way, Route 2 might be more your style. Route 3 offers a balance between the two.
Regardless of which route you choose, be sure to budget for all of your expenses beforehand. With the right planning, you can make the most of your road trip and enjoy everything that this part of the country has to offer!