Driving Cost from Buffalo, New York to North Fort Myers, Florida

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The Cost of a Road Trip between Buffalo, New York and North Fort Myers, Florida

Traveling from Buffalo, New York to North Fort Myers, Florida is a long journey, but it’s worth the drive to escape the cold winters of Buffalo and enjoy the warm sunshine of Florida. The cost of the trip depends on several factors, including the vehicle you use, the fuel efficiency of your car, and the route you take. In this article, we will examine various routes and the associated costs to help you plan your trip.

Route 1: Traveling down I-77

The first and most direct route from Buffalo to North Fort Myers is to take I-77 through Ohio and West Virginia, then merge onto I-26 through South Carolina and Georgia. Next, you would switch onto I-95 and head south through Jacksonville and Daytona Beach until you reached your final destination.

This route is the fastest since it’s entirely a highway, and it is approximately 1,360 miles. Driving down I-77 is mostly relaxing, though there are some steep grades through the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia and West Virginia. Be aware of these long hills when you plan your trip, particularly if your vehicle is not good at climbing.

Assuming gas is $2.52 per gallon, and your car achieves 28 miles per gallon on the highway, driving this route would cost about $170.42 for fuel. Additionally, there may be tolls on certain highways, including the West Virginia Turnpike, which costs approximately $5.00.

Route 2: Traveling down I-80

Another possibility is to take I-80 through Pennsylvania, which merges into I-76 before ultimately joining I-77 south of Akron, Ohio. This path is marginally longer than Route 1, at roughly 1,409 miles, but it's still relatively straightforward and mainly on highways.

Driving through Ohio on I-80 can be exciting or dull, depending on how much you like being on the open road. There aren’t many towns along the way besides Cleveland and Akron, so it can feel like endless fields of corn passing by.

Assuming gas is once again $2.52 per gallon, and your car achieves the same fuel efficiency of 28 miles per gallon, this route would cost roughly $178.97 for fuel. Additionally, there are tolls along most of this route, including the turnpike through Pennsylvania, which costs around $57.35, and the Ohio turnpike at $16.50.

Route 3: Traveling on I-95

If you have plenty of time and don't mind a longer trip, consider taking I-95 the entire way south. This route will take you through Baltimore, Washington DC, Richmond, and Savannah before reaching Daytona Beach. Finally, you would take FL-528 west through Orlando to I-75, which brings you to North Fort Myers.

This route is significantly longer than the previous two routes, covering a total of 1,558 miles. However, it allows you to enjoy a good slice of the East Coast since you'll go through several major cities.

Unfortunately, it's also the most expensive route due to the many tolls along the way. Tolls begin right outside of Baltimore and don't end until you enter Florida. For this reason, many people avoid this route altogether.

Assuming gas is $2.52 per gallon, and your car gets 28 miles per gallon, expect to pay around $205.12 in fuel costs.

All three routes are suitable for traveling from Buffalo to North Fort Myers, but we recommend traveling down I-77 as it’s the quickest (excluding potential traffic), easiest, and most cost-effective of the options.

Of course, the fastest route isn't always the best. Depending on your preferences, you may choose I-80 if you'd enjoy passing through Pennsylvania's picturesque countryside. Alternatively, if you want to explore East Coast cities, taking I-95 may be best.

Final Thoughts

The cost of traveling from Buffalo, New York, to North Fort Myers, Florida, depends on the route you take, how much gas costs, the fuel efficiency of your car, and any tolls along the way. Driving can take anywhere from 19 to 25 hours, depending on the route, the time of day, and how many stops you make. Bear in mind that traveling long distances can be tiring, so it’s important to take frequent breaks for stretching and refreshments.

Whichever route you decide to take and whatever considerations you make, remember that the journey itself can be enjoyable and memorable. The United States is a vast country, and a road trip is an excellent way to appreciate its beauty and diversity.