The Cost of Driving from Bloomsburg, PA to Fort Smith, AR: Fueling Your Journey

If you're planning a road trip from Bloomsburg, PA to Fort Smith, AR, you may be wondering how much it's going to cost you. Luckily, we've crunched some numbers to give you an estimate of how much you can expect to spend on gas and tolls during your journey. Here are a few different routes to consider, each with its own distance, time, and cost.

Route 1: Via I-80 West and I-44 West

This route takes you through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma before finally reaching Arkansas. It covers a total distance of approximately 1,146 miles and takes just over 17 hours to complete.

As of the time of writing, gas prices in Bloomsburg are averaging around $3.15 per gallon. Using the average fuel economy for a typical American car (24.9 miles per gallon), you can expect to use about 45.9 gallons of gas on this route. With gas prices factored in, you'll be spending roughly $145.12 on fuel alone.

Additionally, you'll cross two tollbooths during this route: one in Ohio and one in Missouri. The Ohio toll costs $12.50 for a passenger car, while the Missouri toll costs $9.30. Your total toll expenses will amount to $21.80.

Route 2: Via I-78 West, I-81 South, I-40 West, and I-540 South

This route is slightly longer than the first, covering a total distance of about 1,209 miles. However, it may be a preferable option for those who want to avoid tolls altogether.

It takes you through Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and finally to Fort Smith. This route should take you about 19 hours to complete.

When traveling via this route, you'll be spending roughly $151.56 on fuel, based on the same gas prices and fuel economy numbers mentioned earlier.

However, there are no tolls on this route, so you'll save the $21.80 cost from Route 1.

Route 3: Via I-76 West, I-70 West, I-44 West, and I-40 West

This is the longest route of the three, covering a total distance of about 1,530 miles. It takes you through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and finally to Arkansas.

Despite its length, this route should only take you about 23 hours to complete.

Using the same fuel economy numbers and gas prices as before, you'll be spending about $190.17 on gasoline for this route.

Similar to Route 1, this route includes tolls in Ohio and Missouri, with a total toll expense of $21.80.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the cost of your road trip from Bloomsburg, PA to Fort Smith, AR will depend on several factors, including gas prices, tolls, and the route you choose. While Route 2 may be the most cost-effective option, keep in mind that the extra time and distance may not be worth the financial savings.

No matter which route you choose, make sure to plan ahead for fuel and toll expenses, pack some snacks and games for the ride, and enjoy your journey to Fort Smith!