The Cost of a Road Trip between Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Tucson, Arizona: Finding the Best Route
Are you planning a road trip from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to Tucson, Arizona? Whether you are moving, visiting family, or going on vacation, traveling by car has its charm. However, before hitting the road, you need to plan your route, calculate the costs, and decide how many days you want to spend on the way. With gas prices fluctuating frequently, finding the best route for your budget becomes crucial. In this article, we break down the options, costs, and distances of the different routes, and recommend the most convenient one.
Route Options
There are three major routes you can take from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to Tucson, Arizona: the southern route via Dallas, the middle route via Amarillo, and the northern route via Denver.
Southern Route
Taking the southern route from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to Tucson, Arizona, requires heading west on I-44 towards Wichita Falls, then south on US-287 to Amarillo, and finally west on I-40 through Albuquerque. Reaching Tucson requires taking I-25 South to Las Cruces, then I-10 West through Lordsburg, and finally State Road 80 South.
Middle Route
If you choose the middle route, you will head west on I-44 towards Oklahoma City, then I-40 to Amarillo, before continuing west on I-40 to Albuquerque. From there, take I-25 South to Las Cruces, I-10 West to Lordsburg, and State Road 80 South to Tucson.
Northern Route
Finally, the northern route involves heading northwest on US-75 from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, passing through Topeka, and then connecting with I-70 in Salina, Kansas. From there, head west on I-70 to Denver, and south on I-25 to Albuquerque. Continue on I-25 South to Las Cruces, then I-10 West to Lordsburg, and State Road 80 to Tucson.
Costs
The cost of the road trip from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to Tucson, Arizona, depends on several factors. First, the cost of gas since it makes up the bulk of the road trip expenses. Secondly, the mode of transportation you choose will also determine the final price-tag. Below is a breakdown of the cost for each route based on gas prices as of 1 June 2021.
Southern Route
The southern route, covering 1,006 miles, is the longest of the three options. At an average vehicle gas mileage of 25 mpg, and gas prices at $2.80 per gallon, the cost of gas for the southern route is approximately $144. A car with a lower MPG or higher gas prices would demand more money for the journey.
Middle Route
The middle route stretches 994 miles, which is only slightly shorter than the southern route. At the average gas mileage of 25 mpg and the same gas price of $2.80 per gallon, the cost of gas for this route is approximately $142.3.
Northern Route
Finally, the northern route runs for 1,201 miles, which is significantly longer than the other two routes. It is also the most expensive of the three routes due to its length. At the average gas mileage of 25 mpg and a gas price of around $2.80 per gallon, the cost of gas for the northern route is approximately $172.
Recommendations
The middle route, despite being slightly less expensive than the southern route, is the most convenient for a road trip from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to Tucson, Arizona. The I-40 section, which both routes share, has numerous options for rest stops, food, and accommodation, making it a more comfortable journey. Additionally, the middle route only takes 15 minutes more than the southern route but saves an additional 12 miles worth of driving.
Conclusion
In conclusion, traveling by car from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to Tucson, Arizona, is a fun way to explore the Southwest United States region. While gas prices and vehicle type may affect the overall cost of the trip, we recommend taking the middle route, which is slightly shorter and less expensive than the other options. The journey using this route may take approximately 17 hours, but with the intermittent stops and good company, the road trip may just turn out to be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.