The Cost of a Road Trip from Boulder, Colorado to El Paso, Texas
Driving from Boulder, Colorado to El Paso, Texas is a journey spanning over 750 miles. This route offers breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains and vast desert lands. However, before embarking on a road trip, it's crucial to decide on the most cost-effective and efficient route. This article will explore the different routes from Boulder, Colorado to El Paso, Texas, and provide an estimation of the costs, including accommodation and gas prices.
Route 1: I-25 S to I-40 E to US-84 E
This is the most common route to follow to reach El Paso from Boulder, Colorado. Starting from Boulder, take I-25 S and drive for approximately 400 miles to reach Albuquerque, New Mexico. From here, take I-40 E and continue for around 190 miles until you reach Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Then, take US-84 E and travel around 155 miles to arrive in Lubbock, Texas. Finally, take I-27 S and travel around 100 miles to reach El Paso.
Cost Estimation
The total distance is around 751 miles, and it would take around 12 hours of driving to reach El Paso, not including stops. Gas prices vary, but assuming an average cost of $2.50 per gallon, a vehicle that averages around 25 miles per gallon would require 30 gallons of gasoline, costing around $75. Depending on your car's fuel efficiency, this will vary. Lodging makes up a crucial part of expenses when taking such a long road trip. A three-star hotel room in Albuquerque would cost around $80, a hotel room in Santa Rosa would cost around $70, Lubbock would cost around $100, and El Paso would cost around $120.
Overview
Estimated driving time: 12 hours
Total distance: 751 miles
Estimated cost of gas: $75
Estimated cost of lodging: $370
Route 2: US-285 S to US-380 E to US-70 E
Another route that is available is to take US-285 S from Boulder, CO, towards Santa Fe, NM. Drive for around 170 miles before reaching Santa Fe. Once in Santa Fe, take US-380 E and continue for around 129 miles until you reach Roswell, NM. From there, take US-70 E, and drive 217 miles to reach El Paso.
Cost Estimation
The total driving distance is around 753 miles, and it would take approximately 13 hours, not including breaks. Assuming gas prices of $2.50 per gallon and fuel efficiency that an average vehicle has, which is around 25 miles per gallon, around 31 gallons of gasoline will be required, amounting to roughly $77, depending on the efficiency of your car. Lodging expenses, based on the estimates of a three-star hotel, would amount to around $80 in Santa Fe, around $70 in Roswell, and around $120 in El Paso, summing up to a total of $270.
Overview
Estimated driving time: 13 hours
Total distance: 753 miles
Estimated cost of gas: $77
Estimated cost of lodging: $270
Route 3: CO-115 S to US-54 E
This route is a slightly shorter drive than the other two routes mentioned. Beginning from Boulder, CO, take CO-115 S, and drive for around 36 miles until you reach Florence, CO. Then, take US-50 E and drive for another 120 miles until you reach Lamar, CO. From Lamar, take US-385 S, and drive for around 90 miles until you cross the Texas state line. Here, take US-54 E, and drive another 280 miles to reach El Paso.
Cost Estimation
The estimated total distance via this route is approximately 886 miles, and it would take around 15 hours of driving. Assuming gas prices of $2.50 per gallon and an average of 25 miles per gallon fuel efficiency, a vehicle would need around 36 gallons of gasoline, costing approximately $90. Once again, lodging expenses can sum up to around $100 in Florence and around $120 in Lamar and $120 in El Paso.
Overview
Estimated driving time: 15 hours
Total distance: 886 miles
Estimated cost of gas: $90
Estimated cost of lodging: $340
Best Route Recommendations
After evaluating the three potential routes, the most cost-effective and efficient one would be Route 1, following I-25 S to I-40 E to US-84 E. This route is the most direct and offers the most comfortable and accessible facilities such as gas stations and rest stops. It also provides beautiful scenic views along the way, like the Rocky Mountains. The costs for this route are relatively similar to the other two but are lower in some instances. Additionally, some of the towns or cities along the way are more notable and have more amenities than the other two routes.
Conclusion
The cost estimates mentioned in this article are only approximations and can vary depending on a variety of factors such as vehicle type, fuel efficiency, and lodging preferences. However, by taking Route 1, drivers will have a better idea of the cost of the trip if they set out to drive from Boulder, Colorado to El Paso, Texas. The recommended route is ideal for those looking for a balance between driving time, concentration of amenities, and scenic views that will provide an unforgettable road trip experience. Ultimately, happiness is a clear road and good company.