Driving Cost from Birmingham, Alabama to Wichita, Kansas

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The Cost of a Roadtrip: Birmingham, Alabama to Wichita, Kansas

Are you planning a road trip from Birmingham, Alabama to Wichita, Kansas? Well, before you hit the road, you should consider the cost of the trip. With fluctuating gas prices, it's important to know how much you might spend on fuel, food, and lodging during your journey. In this article, we will delve into the different possible routes from Birmingham to Wichita, the distance, and the cost associated with each one.

Possible Routes

There are three primary routes you can take when driving from Birmingham to Wichita:

  1. Birmingham to Memphis to Little Rock to Wichita
  2. Birmingham to Nashville to Louisville to St. Louis to Kansas City to Wichita
  3. Birmingham to Jackson to Monroe to Shreveport to Dallas to Wichita

Each of these routes boasts different distances and costs associated with them. Let's dive into each option in detail.

Route 1: Birmingham to Memphis to Little Rock to Wichita

This route is the shortest one, spanning at approximately 750 miles. However, this route is not the most scenic one to take, and it can be grueling to drive through the entire stretch of highway. Additionally, although this route covers the least distance, it still requires a considerable amount of driving and doesn't offer much in terms of sightseeing or tourist attractions. The cost for gas on this route would vary depending on gas prices, but with an average fuel economy of 25 mpg, you could expect to use around 30 gallons of gas. According to the AAA Fuel Cost Calculator, the current average price of gas in the United States is $3.102 per gallon, which would put the trip's total cost at approximately $93 for gas alone.

Route 2: Birmingham to Nashville to Louisville to St. Louis to Kansas City to Wichita

This route is the longest, spanning at approximately 1,100 miles. However, it has several scenic and vibrant cities along the way, so there may be more than one tourist attraction to stop at on your way to Wichita. It passes through Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and Kansas, allowing you to have brief stops in some lively cities such as Nashville, TN, Louisville, KY, and St. Louis, MO before arriving in Wichita. The cost of the gas for this route would vary, and it would depend on the make and model of your car. For example, if you have a car with an average fuel economy of 25 mpg, you would use around 44 gallons of gas and, at the present gas price of $3.102, it would cost you approximately $136 for the trip.

Route 3: Birmingham to Jackson to Monroe to Shreveport to Dallas to Wichita

This route takes you through five states and spans at approximately 1,000 miles. It's roughly the same distance as Route 1, but it passes through several big cities such as Jackson, MS, Monroe, LA, Shreveport, LA, and Dallas, TX. This route allows you to have some stops and fun experiences along the way. If you have a car with an average fuel economy of 25 mpg, you should expect to use around 40 gallons of gas. At $3.102, the gas cost for this route is an estimated $124.

Choosing the Best Route

Now that you know all of the different routes to take and the respective costs associated with each, you may wonder which one to choose. Ultimately, the best route depends on your preferences and priorities. If you want to arrive quickly, select the shortest and most direct route, though you may have to sacrifice scenic vistas. On the other side, if you enjoy visiting different cities and taking a more leisurely pace, Route 2 and Route 3 might be your best choices. Ultimately, the decision lies with what you and your fellow travelers prioritize.

Conclusion

A road trip from Birmingham, Alabama, to Wichita, offers a great road trip experience. Some of the routes are longer than others, and each has its unique attractions and landscape. For those who want to set aside roughly 10 hours for driving, Route 1 is the most recommended due to its shorter length and lower cost. Alternatively, for those who want to take in sights along the way and have a more leisurely journey, it's better to consider the Route 2 or Route 3, though those routes would take much longer to finish, with more hours on the road.

In conclusion, a trip from Birmingham, Alabama, to Wichita, Kansas, can be exciting. Understanding the different routes and the corresponding fuel costs is important to plan your trip economically and make the most out of your journey.