The Cost of a Trip Between Brentwood, California and Washington, D.C. based on Current Gas Prices

Traveling from Brentwood, California to Washington, D.C. usually takes about a week of driving assuming an average of 600 miles per day. The trip can be done using different routes, each with varying distances and costs. In this article, we explore these routes and calculate the cost of gas based on current gas prices.

Route 1: I-80 E and I-70 E

The first route starts from Brentwood, California, to Reno, Nevada using Interstate 80 East. Continue on I-80 E to Salt Lake City, Utah, and join I-70 E to Denver, Colorado. Take I-76 E to I-270 E to merge onto I-70 E to Baltimore, Maryland, and finally to Washington, D.C.

The round trip distance of this route is approximately 7000 miles. Based on the current average gas price of $3.06 per gallon, a car with 30 miles per gallon efficiency will require 233 gallons to complete the trip, costing approximately $713. This does not include other expenses such as food and accommodation.

Route 2: I-40 E and I-81 N

The second route takes you East from Brentwood, California to Flagstaff, Arizona, using Interstate 40 East. Keep going through New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee before finally arriving in Virginia. Take I-81 North to Roanoke and merge onto I-64 East to Washington, D.C.

This route has a total distance of 5500 miles. Based on current gas prices, a trip on this route requires about 183 gallons of gas with a total cost of approximately $560.

Route 3: I-15 N and I-80 E

The third route follows Interstate 15 North to Salt Lake City, then merge onto I-80 East to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Omaha, Nebraska, before finally passing through Indianapolis, Columbus, and Pittsburgh on the way to Washington, D.C.

The total distance for this route is about 6500 miles round trip, and assuming gas consumption of 217 gallons, the gas cost is approximately $665.

Recommendation

Of the three routes, it is recommended to take route 2: I-40 E and I-81 N. This route has the best fuel economy, and the distance is significantly shorter compared to the other routes. The total trip cost for Route 2 is approximately $560 for gas only, which represents a cost saving of over $100 compared to route 3, and over $150 compared to route 1.

In conclusion, the trip from Brentwood, California, to Washington, D.C. is long and can be costly. By choosing the right route, travelers can save on gas expenses, reduce travel time, and enjoy their journey more. Route 2: I-40 E and I-81 N is the best route option for this trip based on current gas prices. It would take approximately a week of driving to complete the trip. With careful planning, travelers can enjoy this journey while controlling their expenses.