The Cost of a Road Trip from Bridgeport to Auburn Based on Current Gas Prices

When planning a road trip, one of the primary considerations is the cost. With fluctuating gas prices, it's essential to ensure that our budget is well-planned. Bridgeport and Auburn are two cities located in Alabama. The distance between the two locations is about 215 miles. In this article, we'll explore the various routes available and assess the cost of each option at the current gas prices.

Route Option 1: Via I-59 S and I-20 E

The first route option is via I-59 S and I-20 E. This route follows I-59 S from Bridgeport to Birmingham then connects with I-20 E to reach Auburn. The distance covered is 227 miles, and the estimated travel time is approximately 3 hours 42 minutes.

Calculating the cost of this trip using the average gas price in Alabama ($2.82 per gallon) and assuming a sedan with a fuel efficiency of 25 MPG, we'll need approximately 9 gallons of gas for this journey. The total cost of this trip in gas would be $25.38.

Route Option 2: Via AL-79 S and I-20 E

The second route option is via AL-79 S and I-20 E. This route begins on AL-79 S and merges onto I-20 E in Birmingham before arriving in Auburn. The distance covered is approximately 210 miles, and the estimated travel time is around 3 hours 36 minutes.

To calculate the cost of this trip, we'll use the same assumptions as before. We'll need about 8.4 gallons of gas, and the total cost in gas would be $23.71.

Route Option 3: Via AL-35 S and I-20 E

The last route option is via AL-35 S and I-20 E. This route starts on AL-35 S, merges onto AL-9 S, and finally connects with I-20 E in Heflin to reach Auburn. The total distance covered is 211 miles, and the estimated travel time is around 3 hours 45 minutes.

Using the same calculation method, we'll need about 8.4 gallons of gas, and the total cost in gas would be $23.71.

Recommending the Best Route

Based on the cost estimates and distance covered, Route Option 2 seems to be the most cost-efficient. Although Route Option 3 has a similar distance and travel time, the extra time on smaller roads could result in lower fuel efficiency, negating any savings.

Therefore, we recommend taking Route Option 2, which has a total cost of $23.71 in gas. This route is about 5 miles shorter than Route Option 1, although the cost difference is $1.67, making it significantly more affordable.

Conclusion

Planning a road trip that spans more than two cities requires careful consideration of the time and cost involved. In this article, we've explored three route options from Bridgeport, Alabama to Auburn, Alabama, assessing the cost of each trip based on the current gas prices.

We recommend Route Option 2, which has a total cost of $23.71 in gas. This route takes approximately 3 hours and 36 minutes and covers a distance of around 210 miles. Ultimately, the final decision will depend on individual preferences and priorities, but it's essential to consider all factors before embarking on any road trip.