The Cost of Driving From Bethesda, Maryland to Houston, Texas: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you planning a road trip from Bethesda, Maryland to Houston, Texas? Driving across the country can be an exciting and adventurous experience, but it's important to budget your expenses in advance. In this blog post, we'll break down the cost of driving from Bethesda to Houston based on current gas prices and different routes you can take.

Route 1: I-70 W and I-44 W

The first route we'll look at is taking I-70 West and I-44 West. This is the shortest route, but it does require driving through some mountainous terrain. The distance between Bethesda and Houston via this route is 1,139 miles. Driving this distance will take you around 18 hours and 30 minutes. You will have to cross through the states of West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

The cost of gas will depend on the kind of car you have and the current prices at gas stations along the way. At the time this blog post was written, the average gas prices along this route were around $3.00 per gallon. If your car gets an average of 30 miles per gallon, you will need approximately 38 gallons of gas for the entire trip. This means you'll spend approximately $114 on gas for this route.

If you take the entirety of this route, there will be tolls to pay in West Virginia ($4), Ohio ($5), Indiana ($8-9), and Missouri ($7-8).

Route 2: I-81 and I-40

The second route we'll look at is taking I-81 South and I-40 West. This route is a bit longer than the first one, but it is flatter and easier to drive. The total distance between Bethesda and Houston via this route is 1,350 miles. Driving this route will take you around 20 hours and 30 minutes. You will have to cross through the states of Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

The cost of gas on this route is similar to the first route, at around $3.00 per gallon. If your car gets an average of 30 miles per gallon, you will need approximately 45 gallons of gas for the entire trip. This means you'll spend approximately $135 on gas for this route.

Along this route, there are tolls to pay in Virginia ($8-9), Tennessee ($2-3), and Arkansas ($4).

Route 3: I-95 S and I-10 W

The third route we'll look at is taking I-95 South and I-10 West. This is the longest route, but it's also the most scenic. You'll get to see the beautiful coastal states of Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. The total distance between Bethesda and Houston via this route is 1,360 miles. Driving this route will take you around 22 hours and 30 minutes.

Because this is the longest route, your gas expenses will be higher. At the time this blog post was written, the average gas prices along this route were around $3.25 per gallon. If your car gets an average of 30 miles per gallon, you will need approximately 46 gallons of gas for the entire trip. This means you'll spend approximately $150 on gas for this route.

Along this route, there are tolls to pay in Virginia ($16-18), North Carolina ($5), South Carolina ($1), Georgia ($1-3), and Florida ($6-16).

Final Thoughts

When planning a road trip, it's important to consider all the expenses involved. Gas, tolls, food, and accommodations can add up quickly. Hopefully, this guide has given you a good idea of the cost of driving from Bethesda, Maryland to Houston, Texas.

Regardless of which route you take, remember to take breaks and enjoy the journey. Happy travels!