The Cost of a Road Trip from Blaine, WA to San Diego, CA

With summer fast approaching, many people are starting to plan their next road trip. One popular route is driving from Blaine, Washington to San Diego, California. But with rising gas prices, what's the cost of a road trip along this route?

Route Options

There are a few route options to get from Blaine to San Diego. The most direct route is taking Interstate 5 all the way down the West Coast. However, there are a few other options that might be more scenic or have more things to see along the way.

Direct Route - Interstate 5

The direct route is taking Interstate 5 south all the way to San Diego. This is approximately 1,295 miles and takes around 20 hours of driving time. The cost of this route will vary depending on the vehicle and gas prices, but assuming a car gets 25 miles per gallon and the current national average gas price of $3.18 per gallon, the cost of gas for this trip would be around $205.80.

Scenic Route - Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 101)

Another popular option is to take the scenic route along the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Highway 101. This route will take longer at approximately 1,514 miles and around 24 hours of driving time. However, there are many great stops along the way such as Cannon Beach, Oregon and Big Sur, California. The cost of gas for this trip would be around $234.24, assuming the same vehicle and gas prices as above.

National Parks Route - Highway 89

For those who enjoy the outdoors, taking Highway 89 through a few national parks might be a great option. This route goes through Glacier National Park in Montana, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, and Zion National Park in Utah before ending in San Diego. This route is longer at approximately 1,858 miles and around 29 hours of driving time. The cost of gas for this trip would be around $299.52, assuming the same vehicle and gas prices as above.

Which Route to Take

Ultimately, the route you take will depend on what you want to see and how much time you have. If seeing the most sights and experiencing the best views is your priority, then taking the scenic route along Highway 101 may be the best option for you. If you have a love for national parks and want to see some of the best the United States has to offer, then Highway 89 is the route for you. However, if time is of the essence and you just want to get to San Diego as fast as possible, then taking the direct route along Interstate 5 is your best option.

Conclusion

No matter which route you take, driving from Blaine, Washington to San Diego, California is sure to be a fun and exciting adventure. The total cost of gas will vary depending on gas prices and your vehicle's efficiency, but it looks like you can expect to spend between $200 and $300 on gas alone. Don't forget to factor in the cost of food, lodging, and other expenses along the way. Happy travels!