The Cost of a Road Trip from Centerton, Arkansas to Big Sky, Montana

In this article, we will explore the cost of a road trip from Centerton, Arkansas to Big Sky, Montana. We will look at different possible routes, their distance, and the cost of travel. Based on this, we will recommend the best route and calculate the cost of the entire trip.

The Route Options

There are a few different possible routes to take when traveling between Centerton, Arkansas and Big Sky, Montana. In this section, we'll explore those routes and their associated distance.

Route 1: Via I-35 North and I-90 West

The first route option is to take I-35 North to Kansas City, then head west via I-70 and I-76 through Nebraska and Colorado, before heading north on I-25 until Cheyenne, where you can pick up I-80 west into Wyoming and connect with I-90 to head into Montana. This route is the most direct, but it is also the longest, at approximately 1,750 miles.

Route 2: Via I-40 West and I-25 North

The second route option is to head west via I-40, through Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico before connecting with I-25 North in Albuquerque. Take I-25 North until Cheyenne, where you can pick up I-80 West into Wyoming and connect with I-90 to head into Montana. This route is slightly shorter than route 1, at approximately 1,632 miles.

Route 3: Via I-35 North and I-94 West

The third route option is to take I-35 North to Minneapolis, then head west via I-94 through North Dakota before connecting with I-90 in Montana. This route is the least direct, at approximately 1,900 miles, but it does offer the opportunity to see some different scenery along the way.

The Cost of Travel

Now that we know the different route options and their associated distance, we can begin to explore the cost of travel. The main cost of travel for a road trip is gasoline, so we will focus on that cost. For this article, we will assume a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon and a gas price of $2.50 per gallon.

Route 1: Via I-35 North and I-90 West

At approximately 1,750 miles, route 1 is the longest of the three options. Assuming a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon and a gas price of $2.50 per gallon, the cost of gas for this route would be approximately $175.

Route 2: Via I-40 West and I-25 North

Route 2 is slightly shorter than route 1, at approximately 1,632 miles. Assuming a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon and a gas price of $2.50 per gallon, the cost of gas for this route would be approximately $163.

Route 3: Via I-35 North and I-94 West

The least direct route, at approximately 1,900 miles, would also be the most expensive in terms of gas cost. Assuming a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon and a gas price of $2.50 per gallon, the cost of gas for this route would be approximately $190.

The Recommended Route

Based on distance and gas cost, the recommended route would be route 2, via I-40 West and I-25 North. This route is slightly shorter than route 1, but it is also less expensive in terms of gas cost. Route 3, while offering some different scenery, is the most expensive of the three routes, so it is not as recommended.

The Total Cost of the Trip

Now that we know the distance and gas cost of the recommended route, we can calculate the total cost of the trip. Assuming a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon and a gas price of $2.50 per gallon, the cost of gas for the trip would be approximately $163. In addition to gas, there may be other costs associated with the trip, such as food, lodging, and activities, so it is important to budget accordingly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best and cheapest route to travel from Centerton, Arkansas to Big Sky, Montana would be route 2, via I-40 West and I-25 North. This route is approximately 1,632 miles and the gas cost would be approximately $163 assuming a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon and a gas price of $2.50 per gallon. While there may be other costs associated with the trip, this gives us a good starting point for budgeting and planning. Safe travels!