The Cost of a Trip between Centerville and Payson: Navigating Gas Prices

As you may already know, the cost of driving can quickly add up. Especially with fluctuating gas prices, it can be difficult to budget effectively for a trip. This is especially true for longer journeys, such as those spanning across multiple cities or states. In this article, we will take a look at the cost of a trip between Centerville and Payson, and how different routes can impact the overall price.

Routes

Before diving into the specifics of cost, let's take a look at the different routes one could take between Centerville and Payson. According to Google Maps, there are three main routes:

Route 1: I-15 S

The first route is the simplest: taking I-15 S all the way to Payson. This is a fairly straightforward option, as it only requires following one major highway the entire trip. The distance between Centerville and Payson this way is roughly 65 miles, and takes around an hour to drive.

Route 2: I-15 S and UT-6

The second route involves taking I-15 S as well, but then switching to UT-6 towards Spanish Fork. This adds roughly 10 miles to the journey, bringing the total distance to around 75 miles. However, it can be faster to take this route depending on traffic conditions and other external factors. The estimated driving time for this route is around 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Route 3: UT-68 and UT-6

The third and final route takes a more scenic path, going through the mountain pass of UT-68 before connecting to UT-6 towards Payson. This route is longer than the previous two, around 86 miles in total, but can be a beautiful drive depending on the time of year. It also takes more time, around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Gas Prices

Now that we've looked at the different routes, let's talk about gas prices. As I'm sure you know, gas prices can vary wildly depending on location, time of year, and a number of other factors. Because of this, it can be difficult to give exact numbers on the cost of a trip. However, we can look at some general trends.

Currently, as of August 2021, the average gas price in Utah is around $3.60 per gallon. This is higher than the national average, which is around $3.15 per gallon. Keep in mind that this is an average, and prices can vary greatly depending on where you are in the state.

Cost Breakdown

Using the current gas prices as a baseline, let's take a look at the estimated cost of each of the three routes:

Route 1: I-15 S

With a distance of around 65 miles, and assuming a car that gets around 25 miles per gallon, the total cost of gas for this route would be around $14.00. This is assuming gas is priced at the current state average of $3.60 per gallon.

Route 2: I-15 S and UT-6

With a slightly longer distance of around 75 miles, and assuming the same 25 miles per gallon, the total cost of gas for this route would be around $16.00.

Route 3: UT-68 and UT-6

Finally, the longest route of around 86 miles would cost around $19.00 in gas.

It's important to keep in mind that these are estimates, and the actual cost could be higher or lower depending on a number of factors. However, using these numbers as a baseline can be a helpful way to budget for your trip.

Recommendation

So, which route is the best option? As with most things, the answer depends on your priorities and needs. If you want the simplest and most direct route, then I-15 S is the way to go. However, if you want to avoid traffic or are looking for a scenic drive, then either Route 2 or Route 3 could be a better option.

Conclusion

Overall, the cost of a trip between Centerville and Payson can vary depending on the route you take and the current gas prices. However, by estimating the total cost of gas using the average state price and assuming a certain gas mileage, you can get a good idea of what to budget for. Whether you take the direct route on I-15 S or opt for a more scenic drive through the mountains, keeping gas prices in mind can help make your trip more financially feasible.