Driving Cost from Box Elder, South Dakota to Kingsport, Tennessee

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The Cost of a Trip from Box Elder, South Dakota to Kingsport, Tennessee based on Current Gas Prices

Traveling from Box Elder, South Dakota to Kingsport, Tennessee, can be an exciting adventure, especially if you plan the trip correctly. However, it is essential to consider the cost of the trip, which is mainly determined by the mode of travel and distance. In this article, we will take a closer look at the cost of different possible routes and recommend the best route to take based on current gas prices.

Possible Routes

Before embarking on a road trip, it's crucial to know the possible routes to your destination. There are two primary routes when traveling from Box Elder, South Dakota, to Kingsport, Tennessee.

Route 1: Via I-90 East and I-40 East

The first route to consider is by taking I-90 East and I-40 East. This route is approximately 1300 miles, and it would take an estimated drive time of about 20 hours, excluding rest stops. The journey would commence on I-90 East, which would take you through Rapid City, Badlands National Park, and Sioux Falls, SD. You would then connect to I-35 South and I-44 East through Oklahoma City, OK, until you reach Memphis, TN. From Memphis, you would take I-40 East to Knoxville, TN, and then follow the road to Kingsport, TN.

Route 2: Via I-29 South and I-40 East

The second route to consider is via I-29 South and I-40 East. This route is approximately 1350 miles, and it would take an estimated drive time of about 21 hours, excluding rest stops. The journey would commence on I-29 South, which would take you through Sioux Falls, SD, Sioux City, IA, and Kansas City, MO. You would then connect to I-44 East through Tulsa, OK, and then take I-40 East from Oklahoma City to Knoxville, TN. From Knoxville, you would follow the road to Kingsport, TN.

The Cost of the Trip

The cost of the trip varies depending on your mode of transportation and the distance you cover. When taking a road trip, the most significant cost is gas. Therefore, we will provide an estimate of the gas cost based on current gas prices.

The current gas prices in South Dakota are $2.69 per gallon, while the gas prices in Tennessee stand at $2.56 per gallon. These prices can vary slightly from station to station, but they provide a rough estimate of how much you would spend on gas.

To estimate the gas cost, we will use a car that can achieve an average gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon. This means you will use 52 gallons of gasoline for Route 1, and 54 gallons of gasoline for Route 2. Here's a breakdown of the estimated gas cost for each route:

Route 1: Via I-90 East and I-40 East

  • Box Elder, SD to Memphis, TN:
    • Distance: 1174 miles
    • Gallons of gasoline required: 47
    • Total gas cost (at $2.69 per gallon): $126.43
  • Memphis, TN to Kingsport, TN:
    • Distance: 383 miles
    • Gallons of gasoline required: 15
    • Total gas cost (at $2.56 per gallon): $38.40
    • Total gas cost for the entire trip: $164.83

Route 2: Via I-29 South and I-40 East

  • Box Elder, SD to Knoxville, TN:
    • Distance: 1234 miles
    • Gallons of gasoline required: 49
    • Total gas cost (at $2.69 per gallon): $131.81
  • Knoxville, TN to Kingsport, TN:
    • Distance: 100 miles
    • Gallons of gasoline required: 4
    • Total gas cost (at $2.56 per gallon): $10.24
    • Total gas cost for the entire trip: $142.05

Recommendation

Based on the distance and cost, we recommend Route 1 as the best route to take. Although Route 2 is shorter, the difference in mileage is not significant enough to save you money on gas. In addition, Route 1 takes you through more exciting landmarks and cities on the way to Kingsport, TN.

Conclusion

In conclusion, traveling from Box Elder, South Dakota, to Kingsport, Tennessee, can be a fantastic experience, as long as you plan it correctly. When deciding on the route to take, it is essential to consider the distance and the cost of gas. We have provided an estimate of the cost of the two primary routes based on current gas prices. We recommend taking Route 1 as it is more scenic and only slightly more expensive than Route 2. The estimated drive time is approximately 20 hours, excluding rest stops. Happy travels!