The Cost of a Trip from Brandon to Winter Garden: Which Route is the Cheapest?

Are you planning a road trip between Brandon, Florida and Winter Garden, Florida? Choosing the best route can be a bit tricky, especially if you want to save money. With gas prices fluctuating all the time, it's important to consider the cost of fuel along with the distance and time it takes to get to your destination. In this article, we'll explore the different routes available and their pros and cons.

Route 1: I-4 West

The most direct route between Brandon and Winter Garden is via I-4 West, which takes you through downtown Orlando. This route covers a distance of approximately 66 miles and takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete. While this is the shortest distance, it's not always the cheapest option.

According to AAA's Fuel Cost Calculator, the cost of fuel for this route varies depending on your vehicle's MPG. For a car that gets 25 MPG, you can expect to spend around $8.49 on fuel each way, assuming gas prices are around $3.00 per gallon. For a larger vehicle that gets 18 MPG, the cost jumps up to $11.60 each way.

Route 2: Selmon Expressway to FL-60 West

An alternative route is to take the Selmon Expressway to FL-60 West, which takes you around Tampa and Lakeland before connecting with I-4 near Plant City. This route covers a distance of approximately 85 miles and takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete.

While this route adds around 20 miles to the trip, it can be cheaper in terms of fuel costs. For a car that gets 25 MPG, the cost of fuel each way is around $9.77 assuming gas prices of $3.00 per gallon. For a larger vehicle that gets 18 MPG, the cost is around $13.43 each way.

Route 3: FL-60 West to FL-33 South

Another option is to take FL-60 West to FL-33 South, which takes you through Lake Wales before connecting with US-27 near Dundee. Then, connect with I-4 just past Haines City. This route covers a distance of approximately 92 miles and takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete.

While this route is the longest by distance, it can be the cheapest in terms of fuel costs. For a car that gets 25 MPG, the cost of fuel each way is around $10.70 assuming gas prices of $3.00 per gallon. For a larger vehicle that gets 18 MPG, the cost is around $14.73 each way.

Which Route is the Best?

The best route to take depends on your priorities. If you want the shortest distance and time, I-4 West is the way to go. However, if you want to save money on fuel costs, either Route 2 or Route 3 are better options.

In terms of overall cost, it really depends on your vehicle's fuel efficiency. A car that gets good gas mileage will save you money on any of the routes, while a larger vehicle that guzzles gas will be more expensive no matter which way you go. It's important to weigh the cost of fuel against the distance and time it takes to decide which route is the best for you.

Conclusion

Overall, the cost of a trip between Brandon and Winter Garden can vary greatly depending on which route you take and your vehicle's fuel efficiency. While I-4 West is the most direct route, it's not always the cheapest in terms of fuel costs. Exploring alternative routes like Route 2 or Route 3 could save you money in the long run. No matter which route you choose, be sure to take into account the cost of fuel and the time it will take to get to your destination so that you can plan your trip accordingly. Safe travels!