The Cost of a Road Trip from Boardman, Ohio to St. Louis, Missouri at Current Gas Prices
Are you planning a road trip from Boardman, Ohio to St. Louis, Missouri? With current gas prices hovering around $2.60 per gallon, it's important to consider the cost of your trip before hitting the road. In this article, we'll break down the cost and distance of various routes, highlight the pros and cons of each, and recommend the best one to take.
Route 1: I-70 W
Distance: Approximately 625 miles Time: About 9 hours Gas Cost: $100-$130
The easiest and most direct route from Boardman, Ohio to St. Louis, Missouri is via the I-70 West. This route takes you straight across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and finally Missouri. The total distance of the journey is approximately 625 miles, which translates to a 9-hour drive depending on traffic.
Assuming your car gets around 25 miles per gallon and gas is priced around $2.60 per gallon, the cost of gas for the trip will be between $100 to $130 depending on your car's efficiency and traffic.
Pros: The I-70 W route is the most direct one, with a smooth and straightforward drive through most of the journey.
Cons: This route can be heavily congested and prone to heavy traffic, especially in urban areas, which can add to travel time and gas costs.
Route 2: I-76 W
Distance: Approximately 680 miles Time: About 11 hours Gas Cost: $110-$150
If you're looking for a scenic drive with fewer traffic congestions and diversions, you could consider taking the I-76 West route. This route takes you through the hilly landscapes of Pennsylvania and the beauty of southern Ohio.
Although this route is approximately 60 miles longer than the I-70 route, it's relatively free from traffic, which can add to your travel time (11 hours) but cut down on gas cost.
Assuming your car gets around 25 miles per gallon, gas prices are around $2.60 per gallon, and your car is relatively efficient, the cost of gas for this trip will be approximately $110-$150.
Pros: The I-76 route takes you through some stunning scenery, making for an enjoyable, more relaxed drive.
Cons: This route is longer and may take longer than the I-70 W route.
Route 3: US-36 W and I-74 W
Distance: Approximately 655 miles Time: 10-11 hours Gas Cost: $105-$135
If you're looking for an alternative to the I-70 W route, you can consider taking the US-36 W and I-74 W route. This route takes you through some of the less traveled, smaller towns in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. You'll get to enjoy the less hectic landscapes of the smaller towns, but it'll take longer (10-11 hours) due to the stops required.
The estimated gas costs for this route will be around $105-$135.
Pros: This route offers an enjoyable experience through smaller towns, with less traffic and more relaxed scenery.
Cons: This route has more stops, takes longer, and could add to the cost of the trip.
The Best Route: I-70 W
After considering the pros and cons of the various routes, the best and most efficient one is the I-70 W route. It's the most direct one among them, with relatively fewer stops and a faster travel time of 9 hours, getting you to St. Louis much quicker than the other routes.
Although it can be heavily congested in certain urban areas, it's generally the most efficient and effective for a road trip.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cost of a road trip from Boardman, Ohio to St. Louis, Missouri varies based on the route you take and the gas cost. While some routes are shorter but more congested, others are longer but offer beautiful scenery with reduced traffic congestion.
After considering the different options, the most effective and convenient route would be the I-70 W, with a distance of approximately 625 miles, which will take you around 9 hours of driving time, and cost you around $100-$130 in gas, assuming that your car gets 25 miles per gallon and gas is around $2.60 per gallon.
With this knowledge, you can make an informed decision on which route to take and enjoy your road trip from Boardman, Ohio, to St. Louis, Missouri.