Driving Cost from Beaverton, Oregon to Grand Rapids, Michigan

A picture depicting a gas pump

The Cost of a Trip Between Beaverton, Oregon and Grand Rapids, Michigan: A Guide Based on Current Gas Prices

Traveling from Beaverton, Oregon to Grand Rapids, Michigan takes some planning. The distance is quite long, with several possible routes, and gas prices can vary depending on where you fill up. In this guide, we’ll give you an overview of the different routes you can take and what those routes will cost you in gas.

Route Options and Distance

There are three main routes you can take between Beaverton and Grand Rapids. Each route has its advantages and disadvantages, as we’ll outline below.

  1. The Northern Route – On this route, you’ll head east from Beaverton on Highway 26, then north on Interstate 84 through Idaho and Montana. You’ll then turn east on Interstate 90 and follow it into Michigan. In terms of distance, this route covers about 2,300 miles.

  2. The Southern Route – This route is the longest of the three, but avoids the mountainous terrain of the Northern Route. From Beaverton, you’ll head out on Interstate 5, then take Interstate 80 east through Nebraska and Iowa, and then turn northeast on Interstate 35 through Minnesota and Wisconsin. Finally, you’ll head west on Interstate 96 into Grand Rapids. This route is approximately 2,700 miles long.

  3. The Central Route – This route splits the difference in distance between the Northern and Southern routes. You’ll head out of Beaverton on Highway 26, then turn east on Interstate 80 and follow it through Nebraska and Iowa. From there, you’ll turn northeast on Interstate 35 and follow that into Minnesota. Finally, you’ll turn east on Interstate 90 and drive into Grand Rapids. This route covers approximately 2,500 miles.

Gas Prices

To estimate the cost of gas for each of the three routes, we used the GasBuddy app to find current gas prices along each route. We also used the website AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report to find the average gas price in each state for May 2021.

  1. The Northern Route – Gas prices along this route range from $2.69 in Oregon to $3.39 in Minnesota. We estimate that the total cost of gas for this route will be around $464.40 for a vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon (mpg) and has a 15-gallon gas tank.

  2. The Southern Route – Gas prices on this route range from $2.89 in Oregon to $3.19 in Wisconsin. Using current gas prices and estimate that the total cost of gas for this route will be around $547.20 for a vehicle that gets 25 mpg and has a 15-gallon gas tank.

  3. The Central Route – Gas prices along this route range from $2.69 in Oregon to $3.19 in Wisconsin. We estimate that the total cost of gas for this route will be around $505.20 for a vehicle that gets 25 mpg and has a 15-gallon gas tank.

Based on these estimates, the Northern Route is the cheapest in terms of gas costs, followed closely by the Central Route. The Southern Route is the most expensive.

Other Considerations

Of course, gas cost isn’t the only factor to consider when planning a road trip. Here are some other things to keep in mind:

  • Time – The Northern Route is the shortest in terms of distance, but it also goes through mountainous terrain. Depending on the weather and traffic, it may take longer to drive this route compared to the Southern or Central routes.
  • Lodging – If you’re planning on driving straight through without stopping overnight, the Southern Route may be the best option. It’s the longest driving distance, but it also has the highest speed limits on interstates and is the most direct route. However, if you’re planning on stopping for the night, any of the routes can work.
  • Scenery – All three routes offer unique scenery. The Northern Route passes through mountainous terrain, while the Southern Route goes through the Great Plains and the Central Route offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cost of a trip between Beaverton, Oregon and Grand Rapids, Michigan will depend on a variety of factors, including the route chosen and gas prices. Based on current gas prices, we estimate that the Northern Route is the cheapest with a total cost of around $464.40, followed closely by the Central Route at $505.20. The Southern Route is the most expensive at around $547.20. Keep in mind other considerations like time, lodging, and scenery when planning your trip. Safe travels!