Driving Cost from Buffalo, New York to Austin, Texas

A picture depicting a gas pump

The Cost of a Trip Between Buffalo, New York and Austin, Texas

If you're thinking of taking a road trip from Buffalo, New York to Austin, Texas, you're in for an adventure. From the beautiful hills of Pennsylvania to the vast open fields of Oklahoma, this trip has it all. But before you hit the road, it's important to know how much you can expect to spend on gas and tolls. In this article, we'll break down the cost of a trip between Buffalo and Austin based on current gas prices.

Possible Routes

The routes you can take from Buffalo to Austin can vary depending on the preferences and goals of each traveler. However, there are two main options that offer a balance between speed and affordability:

  • Route 1: Take I-90 West towards Cleveland, Ohio. Continue on I-90 South towards Indianapolis, Indiana. Then, merge onto I-65 South towards Louisville, Kentucky. Stay on I-65 South until you reach Nashville, Tennessee, then continue onto I-40 West towards Memphis, Tennessee. Finally, take I-30 West towards Dallas, Texas and continue onto I-35 South towards Austin.
  • Route 2: Take I-90 West towards Cleveland, Ohio. Continue on I-90 South towards Toledo, Ohio. Then, merge onto I-75 South towards Dayton, Ohio. Stay on I-75 South until you reach Cincinnati, Ohio, then continue onto I-71 South towards Louisville, Kentucky. Stay on I-71 South until you reach Louisville and then continue onto I-65 South towards Nashville, Tennessee. Finally, take I-40 West towards Memphis, Tennessee. Then, take US-641 South towards Paris, Tennessee until you reach I-40 West again. From there, take I-40 West towards Little Rock, Arkansas and then continue onto I-30 West towards Dallas, Texas. Finally, take I-35 South towards Austin.

While Route 1 is shorter by about 100 miles, Route 2 has fewer tolls and generally more affordable gas prices. In terms of driving time, both routes take about 26 hours, but that can vary depending on traffic and how often you stop.

Cost Breakdown

Now let's dive into the cost of a trip between Buffalo and Austin based on gas prices as of June 2021, assuming a car that gets about 25 miles per gallon:

Route 1

  • Buffalo to Cleveland (216 miles): $19.44
  • Cleveland to Indianapolis (289 miles): $26.01
  • Indianapolis to Louisville (114 miles): $10.26
  • Louisville to Nashville (175 miles): $15.75
  • Nashville to Memphis (213 miles): $19.17
  • Memphis to Dallas (458 miles): $41.22
  • Dallas to Austin (195 miles): $17.55

Total cost for Route 1: $149.40

Route 2

  • Buffalo to Cleveland (216 miles): $19.44
  • Cleveland to Dayton (66 miles): $5.94
  • Dayton to Cincinnati (52 miles): $4.68
  • Cincinnati to Louisville (100 miles): $9.00
  • Louisville to Nashville (175 miles): $15.75
  • Nashville to Memphis (213 miles): $19.17
  • Memphis to Little Rock (137 miles): $12.33
  • Little Rock to Dallas (311 miles): $27.99
  • Dallas to Austin (195 miles): $17.55

Total cost for Route 2: $132.85

As you can see, Route 2 is about $16 cheaper than Route 1. While it does take a bit longer, the savings could be worth it for those on a tight budget.

Conclusion

Driving from Buffalo, New York to Austin, Texas can be an amazing adventure, but it's important to be prepared for the costs that come with it. Based on current gas prices, Route 2 is the more affordable option, but Route 1 may be shorter for those who want to get to their destination faster. Regardless of the route you choose, be sure to pack plenty of snacks, water, and emergency supplies just in case. Safe travels!