The Cost of a Trip Between Bel Air, Maryland and Belmond, Iowa: Based on Current Gas Prices

Are you planning on taking a road trip from Bel Air, Maryland to Belmond, Iowa? The cost of the trip will primarily depend on the distance, the amount of gas your vehicle consumes, and the current price of gas. In this article, we’ll break down the different routes you could take, their distances and costs, and recommend the best option for your journey.

The Possible Routes and Costs

Route 1: Through I-70 and I-80

One of the most used and most direct ways to travel from Bel Air, Maryland to Belmond, Iowa, is through the interstate 70-W, which is about 755 miles. You’ll drive through eight states, including West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. Then you need to take the I-80 west for 99 miles, and you’re there.

Using an average gas price of $2.78 per gallon, the cost of this trip would be around $114.53. However, this cost may vary depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency and any additional factors affecting gas prices.

Route 2: Through I-76 and I-80

If you want to avoid most of the traffic, using I-76W to cross Pennsylvania and Ohio may be a better alternative. The journey can be about 400 miles shorter and less congested - costing you only about 612 miles in total. Once you get to Ohio, you can connect with I-80W and continue your journey to Belmond.

The cost using an average gas price of $2.78 per gallon for this route would be approximately $78.21. This route is shorter than the first option and cheaper, making it an excellent option to save money and time.

Route 3: Through U.S. Route 30 and I-29

U.S. Route 30 can save you some distance if you're willing to take a longer journey. It crosses from Ohio through Indiana to Illinois before getting into Iowa. After crossing the Mississippi River, you take I-29N to Belmond.

This trip can be about 1,062 miles long, which is nearly 200 miles longer than the previous route. However, it has less traffic and can save you money because you will be avoiding toll roads. Using an estimated $2.90 price per gallon, the cost will be about $102.19.

Route 4: Through I-70 and I-57

Taking I-70W to I-57N is another alternative route that crosses Missouri and Illinois. It connects with I-80W toward Iowa. This route is about 1,011 miles, making it longer than most, which could increase your traveling hours.

But if you value less toll fees and you'd like to avoid traffic, this option will be the best choice for you. The estimated cost for gas using a price per gallon of $2.78 would be about $97.62.

Recommended Route

If you want to save both time and money, your best option would be the second route (I-76 and I-80). Although it is not the most scenic route, it is shorter, covers fewer states, and avoids toll fees. It's also less congested, reducing the amount of time spent in traffic.

Conclusion

The road trip from Bel Air, Maryland to Belmond, Iowa, isn't as expensive as you might think. The cost mainly depends on the chosen route, your vehicle's fuel efficiency, and the current gas prices. In our article, we highlighted the different routes, distances, and costs. We also recommended the second route (I-76 and I-80) to achieve a balance between time and money.

Finally, based on the distances and average speed of driving, the journey could take up to 12 hours or more. However, with the recommended route, you would save a few hours and travel for about 10 hours and 28 minutes to arrive at your destination. So pack up your car, get on the road, and enjoy the ride from Maryland to Iowa!