The Cost of Driving From Downtown Kansas City, Missouri to Denver, Colorado: A Gas Price Breakdown
Planning a road trip from Downtown Kansas City to the Mile High City? Let’s break down the costs, so you can budget wisely for this exciting adventure! Fuel prices can fluctuate, but we’ll use an average gas price of $3.50 per gallon for our calculations. So, buckle up as we explore a couple of routes you can take!
Route 1: The Direct Route via I-70 W
The most straightforward way to reach Denver is by taking I-70 W. This route is popular for its simplicity and relatively fast travel time.
- Distance: Approximately 603 miles
- Time: Roughly 8 hours and 30 minutes without heavy traffic
- Toll Costs: There are no tolls on this route!
To calculate fuel costs, we first need to find out how many gallons you'll need. Assuming your vehicle gets about 25 miles per gallon, you’ll need around 24 gallons of gas for the trip.
So, the fuel cost comes out to:
24 gallons x $3.50/gallon = $84.00
In total, you’ll spend about $84.00 on gas for this direct trip!
Route 2: The Scenic Route via US-287 N and I-25 S
If you’re looking to enjoy some beautiful scenery and perhaps a couple of charming stops along the way, consider taking the US-287 N and I-25 S route. This path adds some extra miles but offers a lovely drive.
- Distance: Roughly 640 miles
- Time: About 9 hours of driving, depending on your chosen stops
- Toll Costs: There are some small tolls on portions of I-25, estimated at around $10
For this journey, you’ll still need about 26 gallons of fuel due to the increased distance. Here’s the math:
26 gallons x $3.50/gallon = $91.00
Adding the toll costs, the total comes to:
$91.00 (gas) + $10 (tolls) = $101.00
So, the rustic charm comes at a price of approximately $101.00 for this scenic route!
Summary of Costs
To wrap things up, here’s a quick comparison of the two routes:
| Route | Distance | Time | Fuel Cost | Toll Cost | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-70 W (Direct Route) | 603 miles | 8 hours 30 min | $84.00 | $0 | $84.00 |
| US-287 N / I-25 S | 640 miles | 9 hours | $91.00 | $10 | $101.00 |
As you can see, if you’re looking to save on gas, the I-70 W route is your best bet. However, if you have time and want a more scenic drive, the US-287 N and I-25 S route provides some beautiful views and unique stops along the way.
Whichever route you choose, enjoy your trip to Denver! Safe travels!