The Cost of a Trip from Burnsville, Minnesota to Gulf Shores, Alabama during Current Gas Prices

Planning a long-distance road trip is not an easy task, especially when it involves crossing multiple states, which could result in different gas and toll prices. Burnsville, Minnesota, to Gulf Shores, Alabama, is no exception. This trip of over 1,000 miles takes drivers through six different states and varies routes - some longer than others.

Route planning and gas budgeting are crucial for this trip, alongside accounting for food, lodging, and entertainment. Thus, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the cost and distance of each route to make a sound financial decision. This article will outline some of the best routes to take, their distance, estimated travel time, and corresponding costs to make this trip much easier.

Route 1 - Via TN-I40 E:

The first possible route that one could take from Burnsville, Minnesota, is via TN-I40 E. This route will cover approximately 1,069 miles and could take approximately 16 hours and 22 minutes of continuous driving, so it is suggested that travelers rest overnight to split driving and avoid fatigue-related accidents during the journey.

The route starts by taking Co Rd 42 W and entering the I-35 S at Burnsville. This is followed by taking the I-80 E, NE-370 E, and I-29 S, which at exit 51, gets travelers into MO-6, which leads onto the I-70 E. At this point, the route veers off right onto the TN-I40 E at exit 248B, eventually getting them into Alabama, and then exiting onto South Oates Street in Dothan City, which is situated in Henry County.

The fuel cost is estimated at $141 for gas mileage of 22 mpg and gas prices at $2.62/gallon. This route will cross a few states and consequently encounter toll fees. Therefore, travelers would have to budget between $20 and $30 for toll fares.

Route 2 - Via I-55 S:

The second possible route that one could take is via I-55 S. This route covers a total distance of approximately 1,102.8 miles, which could take the traveler about 16 hours and 48 minutes of continuous driving.

The route starts by taking Co Rd 42 W and then getting onto the I-35 S, similar to Route 1. However, from here, the route turns off right onto the I-70 E, following the road until junction 210A, where motorists merge onto the I-55 S towards Memphis. The route continues on through Tennessee on I-55 S before entering Mississippi and following the route to Alabama, where it narrows down onto AL-59 S.

The fuel cost is estimated to be around $146 with gas prices of $2.62 per gallon and gas mileage of 22mpg. One important thing to note is that this route does not have any reported tolls to pay, which is an advantage.

Route 3 - Via I-39 S:

The third possible route that one could take is via I-39 S. This route stretches about 1,149 miles and could take approximately 17 hours of continuous driving.

The route starts by taking Co Rd 42 W and entering the I-35 S. From here, the route follows into Kansas City via the I-35 S before turning onto the I-70 E at exit 2K. Continue following the route on I-70 E until motorists take exit 49B onto the I-39 S, which leads into Pontiac, Illinois. The route continues through Indiana before getting onto the KY-9007 S and following the route until it meets I-65 S.

Finally, the route passes through Alabama and exits onto US-31 S/Gulf Shores Pkwy, which leads travelers into the heart of Gulf Shores, Alabama. The fuel cost is estimated to be around $156, assuming a gas mileage of 22 mpg and gas prices at $2.62 per gallon. Just like Route 2, this route does not have a toll.

Recommendation

Considering the different focal points of the routes discussed, the best route would be Route 2 - I-55 S, as it avoids significant toll fees. Route 1 would be the second-best option, while Route 3 is the least recommended option due to the long distanced covered and slightly higher fuel cost.

It is essential to budget out the cost of your trip, especially with fuel prices being unpredictable and dependent on the route you take. However, selecting Route 2 remains the most pocket-friendly and reliable route to take when traveling from Burnsville, Minnesota to Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Conclusion

The travel time from Burnsville, Minnesota, to Gulf Shores, Alabama, can be quite considerable when driving, with travel times varying from 16 to 17 hours depending on the route. Consider reaching out to a professional travel agent to get accurate costing and availability of discounted flights or rental cars when unable to make this trip via road. Despite the potential cost, your trip can be rewarding as you drive through six different states, seeing different scenic landscapes, and overall, making unforgettable travel memories.