Driving Cost from Bozeman, Montana to Reidsville, North Carolina

A picture depicting a gas pump

The Cost of a Trip Between Bozeman, Montana and Reidsville, North Carolina

If you're planning a long-distance road trip, then the cost of gas is the most significant cost factor to consider. The average price of gas in the United States is around $2.50 per gallon. However, this price can fluctuate depending on the location, and certain states may have different tax rates, which can contribute to the cost. In this article, we'll explore the cost of a trip between Bozeman, Montana, and Reidsville, North Carolina, and what route you should take for the best gas price.

Route Options

There are three main route options when driving from Bozeman, Montana to Reidsville, North Carolina. These include the Western route, the Central route, and the Eastern route.

The Western Route: This route takes you through Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee before arriving in North Carolina. This is the longest of the three routes, coming in at approximately 2,000 miles. However, it may offer some beautiful sights and experiences for those who really want to see what the west has to offer.

The Central Route: The central route takes you through Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio before reaching North Carolina. This is the shortest of the three routes at approximately 1,500 miles, which makes it ideal for those who wish to make the trip as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

The Eastern Route: The Eastern route takes you through Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania before arriving in North Carolina. This route is slightly longer than the central route, at around 1,800 miles, but it may offer some beautiful scenery for those who wish to see the eastern states.

Gas Cost Analysis

To determine which route is the most cost-effective for this trip, we must analyze the cost of gas in each of the states the routes cross. Below you will find the average gas price for each state, as well as the total cost for the entire trip in each state:

Western Route:

  • Montana: $2.50 per gallon and needs around 30 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $75 for the gas and the state has a distance of 440 miles.
  • Colorado: $2.53 per gallon and needs around 22 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $55.66 for the gas and the state has a distance of 280 miles.
  • Kansas: $2.49 per gallon and needs around 18 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $44.82 for the gas and the state has a distance of 240 miles.
  • Missouri: $2.38 per gallon and needs around 19 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $45.22 for the gas and the state has a distance of 310 miles.
  • Kentucky: $2.31 per gallon and needs around 20 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $46.20 for the gas and the state has a distance of 220 miles.
  • Tennessee: $2.34 per gallon and needs around 18 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $42.12 for the gas and the state has a distance of 270 miles.
  • North Carolina: $2.32 per gallon and needs around 15 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $34.80 for the gas and the state has a distance of 120 miles.

In total, this route would require around 142 gallons of gas, costing approximately $336.82.

Central Route:

  • Nebraska: $2.33 per gallon and needs around 23 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $53.59 for the gas and the state has a distance of 360 miles.
  • Iowa: $2.46 per gallon and needs around 15 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $36.90 for the gas and the state has a distance of 220 miles.
  • Illinois: $2.54 per gallon and needs around 19 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $48.26 for the gas and the state has a distance of 300 miles.
  • Indiana: $2.67 per gallon and needs around 16 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $42.72 for the gas and the state has a distance of 200 miles.
  • Ohio: $2.46 per gallon and needs around 16 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $39.36 for the gas and the state has a distance of 300 miles.
  • West Virginia: $2.50 per gallon and needs around 14 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $35 for the gas and the state has a distance of 200 miles.
  • North Carolina: $2.32 per gallon and needs around 15 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $34.80 for the gas and the state has a distance of 120 miles.

In total, this route would require around 118 gallons of gas, costing approximately $290.63.

Eastern Route:

  • Montana: $2.50 per gallon and needs around 30 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $75 for the gas and the state has a distance of 440 miles.
  • South Dakota: $2.42 per gallon and needs around 14 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $33.88 for the gas and the state has a distance of 180 miles.
  • Minnesota: $2.37 per gallon and needs around 15 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $34.87 for the gas and the state has a distance of 180 miles.
  • Wisconsin: $2.50 per gallon and needs around 15 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $37.50 for the gas and the state has a distance of 200 miles.
  • Michigan: $2.48 per gallon and needs around 16 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $39.68 for the gas and the state has a distance of 260 miles.
  • Pennsylvania: $2.32 per gallon and needs around 20 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $46.40 for the gas and the state has a distance of 310 miles.
  • North Carolina: $2.32 per gallon and needs around 15 gallons for the whole state. Therefore, $34.80 for the gas and the state has a distance of 120 miles.

In total, this route would require around 125 gallons of gas, costing approximately $302.13.

Conclusion

Taking all of the above information into account, the most cost-effective route for this trip would be the Central Route, which is not only the shortest of the three routes, but it also has the lowest average gas prices for the states it passes through. From our analysis, the Western Route would be the most expensive due to the length of the trip and the higher cost of gas in some of the states. Meanwhile, the Eastern Route is a middle ground between the Western and Central routes in terms of cost.

In the end, the choice of route is ultimately up to you, the driver. It is important to weigh all of the factors, such as cost, distance, and scenery, before embarking on a road trip. Whether you're driving for pleasure or necessity, it is important to plan your trip effectively and consider all of the details in advance. Safe travels!