The Cost of a Beverly Hills to Encinitas Road Trip: An Analysis of Gas Prices

If you're looking to take a road trip from Beverly Hills, Michigan, to Encinitas, California, one of the biggest considerations you'll have to factor into the budget is the cost of gas. While gas prices fluctuate based on a variety of factors, there are a few estimates that can help you plan ahead. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the potential routes you could take, along with their distance and estimated gas cost. We'll also offer a recommendation for the best route, based on both cost and time.

Route Options

There are a few different routes you could take when driving from Beverly Hills to Encinitas. The most direct route would be to travel along I-80 and I-70 from Michigan to Utah, then take I-15 South to California. Another option would be to take I-94 towards Chicago, then head South on I-55 towards St. Louis. From there, you can take I-44 to Oklahoma City and then I-40 towards California. Finally, you could opt for a more southerly route, heading down through Texas and then across Arizona before reaching California.

Breakdown of Costs

To get an estimate of how much it would cost to make the trip between Beverly Hills and Encinitas, we'll need to factor in both the distance of the trip and the price of gas along each route. The cost of gas varies widely depending on where you are in the country, so we'll take a look at current average prices at the time of writing (August 2021), using data from GasBuddy.com.

Route 1: Michigan to Utah to California

This route covers a total distance of approximately 2,400 miles, with a total estimated driving time of around 34 hours (not including stops). Along this route, you'll pass through Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah before reaching California. According to GasBuddy, gas prices in these states range from around $2.50 to $4.00 per gallon. If we assume an average gas price of around $3.00 per gallon, and an average fuel efficiency of around 25 miles per gallon, the total cost of gas for this trip would be around $288.

Route 2: Michigan to St. Louis to Oklahoma City to California

This route covers a total distance of approximately 2,700 miles, with a total estimated driving time of around 39 hours (not including stops). Along this route, you'll pass through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and finally California. According to GasBuddy, gas prices in these states range from around $2.50 to $4.00 per gallon. If we assume an average gas price of around $3.00 per gallon, and an average fuel efficiency of around 25 miles per gallon, the total cost of gas for this trip would be around $324.

Route 3: Michigan to Texas to Arizona to California

This route covers a total distance of approximately 2,900 miles, with a total estimated driving time of around 44 hours (not including stops). Along this route, you'll pass through Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before reaching California. According to GasBuddy, gas prices in these states range from around $2.50 to $4.00 per gallon. If we assume an average gas price of around $3.00 per gallon, and an average fuel efficiency of around 25 miles per gallon, the total cost of gas for this trip would be around $348.

Recommendation

Based on the above estimates, the first route (Michigan to Utah to California) would be the most cost-effective, with a total estimated gas cost of around $288. However, it's also worth considering the time it would take to make the trip. While this route is the most direct, it's also the shortest and could involve driving through more rural areas where rest stops and gas stations may be more spread out. The second route, which takes you through St. Louis and Oklahoma City, would only cost around $36 more in gas but could be slightly more convenient in terms of travel stops.

Ultimately, the best route will depend on your individual budget and travel preferences. However, it's worth noting that the third route (Michigan to Texas to Arizona to California) would likely be the most expensive, thanks to its much longer distance and higher average gas prices across a wider range of states.

Conclusion

Overall, if you're planning a road trip from Beverly Hills to Encinitas, you'll want to plan ahead for the cost of gas. While gas prices can be unpredictable, estimating the cost based on current prices can help you budget more effectively. Based on current estimates, the most cost-effective route is likely to be Michigan to Utah to California, with a total estimated gas cost of around $288. However, you should also consider the time it would take to make the trip and any convenience factors when deciding on the best route for your needs.