The Cost of Driving From Billings, Montana to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Are you planning a road trip from Billings, Montana to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? Whether you're visiting family, going on vacation, or moving to a new city, there are several routes to choose from. Each route has a different distance, travel time, and cost, so it's important to plan ahead to ensure you're getting the most bang for your buck.

Here's a breakdown of the cost of driving from Billings, Montana to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based on current gas prices:

Route 1: I-90 East

The most direct route from Billings to Pittsburgh is to take I-90 East all the way. This route covers a distance of 1,687 miles, and depending on your pace, can take up to 26 hours to complete. You'll pass through a few states along the way, including Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

The cost of driving this route will depend on the price of gas and your vehicle's fuel efficiency. At the time of writing, the average gas price in Montana is $3.00 per gallon and $2.85 per gallon in Pennsylvania. Assuming an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, you'd use approximately 68 gallons of gas during the trip. This would cost you approximately $204 in gas. Additionally, there are a few toll roads along this route, which will add to your cost. For example, the Ohio Turnpike will cost you $19.50 for a passenger car.

Route 2: I-94 East

If you'd prefer to avoid the toll roads and see some different scenery, you could consider taking I-94 East instead. This route covers a distance of 1,942 miles, which is a bit longer than I-90, and can take up to 30 hours to complete. You'll pass through Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio before arriving in Pennsylvania.

The cost of driving this route is similar to I-90. Assuming the same gas prices and fuel efficiency, you'd use approximately 78 gallons of gas, which would cost you approximately $234. However, since this route doesn't have toll roads, you'll save money on that front.

Route 3: I-90/I-80 East

If you're looking for a middle ground between the above two routes, you could consider taking I-90 to Chicago, then switching to I-80 to continue east. This route covers a total distance of 1,837 miles, which can take up to 28 hours to complete. You'll pass through Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

The cost of driving this route is similar to I-90, although you'll encounter more tolls along the way. Assuming the same gas prices and fuel efficiency, you'd use approximately 74 gallons of gas, which would cost you approximately $222. However, you'll encounter tolls on both the Chicago Skyway ($5.60 for a passenger car) and the Indiana Toll Road ($11.10 for a passenger car).

Conclusion

No matter which route you choose, driving from Billings to Pittsburgh will require a bit of planning and budgeting. Depending on your preferences, you may want to factor in things like scenic detours, food and hotel costs, and car maintenance expenses. However, with a little bit of forethought, you can stretch your dollar a bit further and enjoy a fun and affordable road trip. Safe travels!