The Cost of a Trip between Billings, Montana and Pratt, Kansas

Driving across the United States can be an experience of a lifetime. Whether you are taking a long vacation or relocating between states, it's important to consider the possible routes and their costs. In this article, we will explore the different possible routes and their costs from Billings, Montana to Pratt, Kansas based on current gas prices.

The Possible Routes

There are two main routes to consider when driving from Billings, Montana to Pratt, Kansas. The first route is through Denver, Colorado, and the second route is through Rapid City, South Dakota.

Route 1: Billings to Denver

The first route to consider is from Billings to Denver. This route is approximately 636 miles and takes around 10 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. It goes through scenic landscapes, including mountains, prairies, and agricultural lands.

On this route, the main highways you will take are I-90, US-87, and I-25. You will start on I-90 from Billings and drive south towards Wyoming. After that, you will turn south onto US-87 towards Colorado. You will then turn east onto I-25, which leads you to Denver.

Route 2: Billings to Rapid City

The second route to consider is from Billings to Rapid City. This route is approximately 525 miles and takes around 8 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. It also goes through scenic landscapes, including mountains, prairies, and historical landmarks.

On this route, the main highways you will take are I-90 and US-385. You will start on I-90 from Billings and drive east towards South Dakota. After that, you will turn south onto US-385 towards Rapid City.

The Costs

The costs of a trip depend mostly on gas prices and the gas mileage of your vehicle.

According to GasBuddy, the current gas price in Billings, Montana, is $2.86 per gallon on average. In Pratt, Kansas, the current gas price is $2.64 per gallon on average. Based on these prices, we can estimate the gas costs of each route.

Assuming a gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon and a 15-gallon tank size, we can calculate the number of times a typical car would need to fill up during each route.

Route 1: Billings to Denver

The driving distance for this route is approximately 636 miles. At a gas price of $2.86 per gallon, a trip from Billings to Denver would cost around $92 in gas expenses.

Assuming a tank size of 15 gallons and a gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon, a car would need to fill up approximately three times during the trip.

So, the total gas cost for the trip would be around $276.

Route 2: Billings to Rapid City

The driving distance for this route is approximately 525 miles. At a gas price of $2.86 per gallon, a trip from Billings to Rapid City would cost around $76 in gas expenses.

Assuming a tank size of 15 gallons and a gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon, a car would need to fill up approximately twice during the trip.

So, the total gas cost for the trip would be around $152.

The Best Route

Based on the cost and distance, it seems that the best route for a typical car driver would be Route 2, from Billings to Rapid City.

Although Route 1 offers more scenic landscapes and landmarks, it is around 100 miles longer than Route 2, which makes it more costly.

Route 2 also has fewer stops and a shorter driving time, which makes it more convenient and less tiring for the driver.

Conclusion

Driving between Billings, Montana, and Pratt, Kansas, can be an exciting adventure or a necessary move. In this article, we explored the different possible routes and their cost estimates based on the current gas prices and a typical car's gas mileage.

The best route for a typical car driver seems to be Route 2, which goes from Billings to Rapid City. This route is approximately 525 miles and takes around 8 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. It costs around $152 in gas expenses, assuming a gas price of $2.86 per gallon, a tank size of 15 gallons, and a gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon.

Whichever route you decide to take, make sure to plan for enough stops, bring enough snacks and water, and follow traffic laws for a safe and smooth ride.