The Cost of a Road Trip from Buena Vista, Colorado to San Mateo, California: Analyzing the Routes

If you're considering a road trip from Buena Vista, Colorado to San Mateo, California, understanding the cost and distance of different routes is essential. Depending on your preferences and budget, you can choose from various options. Here, we discuss the cost and distance of different routes to help you make an informed decision.

Possible Routes

Route A: via I-70 W and I-80 W

This route takes you through I-70 West and I-80 West. The total distance is approximately 1,257 miles. This is the most direct and quickest route.

Route B: via I-25 S and I-40 W

This route takes you through I-25 South and I-40 West. The total distance is approximately 1,445 miles. This route allows you to see more scenic views.

Route C: via US-50 W and I-80 W

This route takes you through US-50 West and I-80 West. The total distance is approximately 1,361 miles. This route provides a balance between scenery and speed.

Cost Breakdown

The cost of a road trip depends on several factors, including gas prices, car maintenance, and accommodation. Here, we focus on the cost of gas for each route. We used the current average gas price as of October 2021 to calculate the cost. The fuel economy of your vehicle is a crucial factor in determining gas prices. However, we assumed an average gas mileage of 25 MPG for our calculation.

Route A:

The distance is approximately 1,257 miles.

The average gas price is $3.36 per gallon.

The cost of gas (one way) is $135.36.

The total cost (round trip) is $270.72.

Route B:

The distance is approximately 1,445 miles.

The average gas price is $3.36 per gallon.

The cost of gas (one way) is $155.52.

The total cost (round trip) is $311.04.

Route C:

The distance is approximately 1,361 miles.

The average gas price is $3.36 per gallon.

The cost of gas (one way) is $146.16.

The total cost (round trip) is $292.32.

Recommendation

Based on the cost and distance, Route A is the most affordable and quickest route. However, if you're seeking scenic views and don't mind a more extended road trip, Route B and Route C are great options.

Conclusion

Depending on your preferences and budget, all the three routes have their advantages and drawbacks. If you want to minimize the cost and time spent on the road, Route A is a great option. Route B and Route C offer more scenic views, making the journey more enjoyable. The road trip takes approximately 20 hours, excluding stops.