The Cost of a Trip between Atlanta and Houston

With the increasing popularity of road trips, many people are looking for ways to enjoy a vacation without spending too much money. This article will focus on the cost of a trip between Atlanta, Texas, and Houston, Texas, including the different routes and the associated expenses.

Route Options

Route 1: I-30 W and I-45 S (313 miles)

The first route between Atlanta and Houston is via I-30 W and I-45 S. This route is relatively direct and takes approximately 5.5 hours to cover the 313 miles.

Route 2: US-59 S (308 miles)

The second route runs mostly along US-59 S, which is the most direct route between the two cities. It covers a distance of 308 miles and takes about 5.5 hours.

Route 3: I-45 S (366 miles)

The third route is via I-45 S, which is the longest of the three routes at 366 miles. This route takes about 6.5 hours to cover.

Cost of the Trips

Fuel Costs

Fuel prices vary from state to state, and this is a major factor in the cost of a road trip. As of August 2021, the average gas price in Texas is $2.75 per gallon.

Route 1

If you’re taking the first route between Atlanta and Houston, you’ll need to cover a distance of 313 miles. If your car has an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, you’ll require 12.5 gallons of gas to cover the distance. This translates to $34 in fuel costs.

Route 2

The second route covers 308 miles, just five miles short of the first route. With an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, you’ll require 12.3 gallons of gas to complete the journey. This means that the cost of fuel for this journey is $34.

Route 3

The third route, via I-45 S, covers 366 miles. Your car will consume 14.6 gallons of gas at an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon. This translates to a fuel cost of $40.

Toll Fees

It is important to note that the mentioned routes include toll fees that you will encounter along the way. In Texas, the average toll fee is $0.15 per mile.

Route 1

The toll fee for Route 1 is $0.15 per mile, which translates to $47 for the entire journey.

Route 2

The toll fee for Route 2 is $0.15 per mile, which amounts to $46.20 for the entire journey.

Route 3

I-45 S includes seven toll plazas, and the toll fee for the route is approximately $47.

Recommended Route

After reviewing the fuel and toll costs for each route, it is clear that the most cost-efficient route is the second route, which runs mostly along US-59 S. This route, despite being the shortest distance, has nearly the same distance and travel time as Route 1, but with $0.80 lesser toll fees.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are three routes to choose from when traveling between Atlanta and Houston. The recommended route is US-59 S, which is the most cost-efficient with a total cost of $80.80, considering both toll fees and fuel costs. This route offers convenience, affordability and promises an enjoyable journey across Texas.