Driving Cost from Bradshaw, Nebraska to Tempe, Arizona

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The Cost of a Road Trip from Bradshaw, Nebraska to Tempe, Arizona based on Current Gas Prices

Embarking on a road trip from one state to another requires careful planning when it comes to the expenses involved in getting from point A to point B. A road trip from Bradshaw, Nebraska to Tempe, Arizona may seem daunting, but there are a few different routes to take and cost factors to consider.

Possible Routes for the Trip

Bradshaw is a small town located in York County, Nebraska, while Tempe is a large city located in Maricopa County, Arizona. If you are planning to take this trip by car, there are three possible routes to consider:

  1. The Western Route: Starting in Bradshaw, Nebraska, you can take I-80 west and follow it all the way to Tempe, Arizona. This route is the longest of the three, with a distance of approximately 1,350 miles.

  2. The Central Route: Starting in Lincoln, Nebraska, you can take I-80 west until you hit I-76 west in Colorado. From there, take I-70 west and follow it until you hit I-15 south in Utah. Finally, take US-60 west and exit at Mill Avenue in Tempe. This route is slightly shorter than the Western Route, with a distance of approximately 1,325 miles.

  3. The Southern Route: Starting in Kansas City, Missouri, you can take I-35 south until you hit I-40 west in Oklahoma. From there, take I-40 west until you hit I-17 south in Arizona. Finally, take AZ-202 to Tempe. This route is the shortest of the three, with a distance of approximately 1,225 miles.

Cost Overview

When it comes to calculating the cost of a road trip, there are a few factors to consider: gas prices, vehicle mileage, lodging and food expenses. To make things simpler, let's focus on gas prices for now.

According to GasBuddy, as of September 9th, 2021, the average gas price in Nebraska is $3.08 per gallon, while in Arizona it is $3.19 per gallon. With those numbers in mind, let's look at the estimated cost of gas for each of the three routes.

The Western Route

The Western Route is the longest of the three routes and for that reason, it will require the most gas. Based on the distance of 1,350 miles, a car that gets 25 miles per gallon (mpg) will require 54 gallons of gas. At an average cost per gallon of $3.08 in Nebraska and $3.19 in Arizona, the total cost of gas for this route is approximately $318.

The Central Route

The Central Route is slightly shorter than the Western Route, but it still requires a significant amount of gas. Based on the distance of 1,325 miles, a car that gets 25 mpg will require 53 gallons of gas. At an average cost per gallon of $3.08 in Nebraska and $3.19 in Arizona, the total cost of gas for this route is approximately $314.

The Southern Route

The Southern Route is the shortest of the three routes and therefore requires the least amount of gas. Based on the distance of 1,225 miles, a car that gets 25 mpg will require 49 gallons of gas. At an average cost per gallon of $3.08 in Nebraska and $3.19 in Arizona, the total cost of gas for this route is approximately $285.

Based on the calculations above, the Southern Route is the most cost-effective of the three routes. It may require a bit more driving through Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas, but the savings will be worth it. Moreover, this route avoids the mountainous terrain that the other two routes have, so it may be easier for those who do not feel comfortable driving through rocky terrain.

Conclusion

All three possible routes for a road trip from Bradshaw, Nebraska to Tempe, Arizona have their pros and cons. In summary, the Western Route is the longest and most expensive, the Central Route is slightly shorter and slightly less expensive than the Western Route, and the Southern Route is the shortest and most cost-effective. Based on current gas prices, the Southern Route is the most recommended one. It has a total distance of approximately 1,224 miles and based on a vehicle that gets 25 mpg, it would require approximately 49 gallons of gas at a total cost of approximately $285. The estimated driving time for this route is approximately 19 hours, depending on factors such as traffic and pit stops.