Driving Cost from Billings, Montana to Louisa, Virginia

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The Cost of a Road Trip from Billings, Montana to Louisa, Virginia: Comparing Routes and Gas Prices

Are you planning a road trip from Billings, Montana to Louisa, Virginia? Looking to budget your expenses? Gas prices vary throughout the year, and choosing a route with different gas prices can greatly affect your trip's cost. In this guide, we'll discuss the major routes to take and the cost and distance of each one.

Possible Routes

Route 1: I-90 E and I-94 E

This route takes you through the heart of the Midwest. Starting in Billings, Montana, you'll take I-90 E, which runs through Wyoming and South Dakota. Once you reach Minnesota, you'll change over to I-94 E, which runs through Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. Continuing on I-94 E, you'll drive through Kentucky until reaching Virginia. This route covers a distance of approximately 1,800 miles.

Route 2: I-90 E and I-80 E

This route starts on I-90 E, as Route 1. Once you reach South Dakota, you'll change to I-80 E. I-80 E runs through Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey before reaching Virginia. This route has a distance of around 1,950 miles.

Route 3: I-94 E

This route is the shortest of all. You'll start on I-94 E in Billings and drive through several states, including North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio before arriving in Virginia. With a distance of approximately 1,650 miles, this route is a great option for those who want to get to Louisa quickly.

Gas Prices

Calculating the cost of gas for each route depends on the gas prices over the period you want to travel. Gas prices fluctuate throughout the year and differ from one state to another. Therefore, it's essential to know what the current gas prices look like and plan accordingly. We've used GasBuddy's price tracker, taking the average price per gallon for unleaded regular gasoline in December 2021, to estimate the cost of gas per route.

  • Route 1: $235
  • Route 2: $247
  • Route 3: $212

After analyzing all route options, we recommend Route 1. Although Route 3 is the shortest and cheapest in terms of gas prices, Route 1 is a great balance between distance and cost. Moreover, Route 1 has several rest areas throughout the journey, giving you a chance to relax and refuel before continuing your trip. Route 2 has a more extended distance, which affects gas prices, and fewer rest areas, which may impact your driving experience.

Cost of the Trip

Other expenses are associated with road trips, such as lodging, meals, and activities, which depend on personal preferences. However, with our route recommendation, we can roughly estimate how much you'll spend on gas. Below, we've calculated the total gas expenses for some vehicles, depending on their gas efficiency, with the current average gas price per gallon of $3.01.

  • Compact car (30 MPG): $189
  • Mid-size car (25 MPG): $226
  • SUV (20 MPG): $282

Conclusion

Choosing a route for a road trip from Billings, Montana, to Louisa, Virginia, can be overwhelming. However, with this guide, you can make an informed decision based on current gas prices and distance. We recommend Route 1 for a balance between gas prices and distance, but the ultimate decision depends on personal preferences. With proper planning, your trip from Billings to Louisa will be smooth and creative. Safe travels!