The Cost of a Trip between Central, Louisiana and Eureka Springs, Arkansas
If you’re planning a trip from Central, Louisiana to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, then you must know the cost of the trip. The cost of road travel usually involves fuel, vehicle maintenance, and other expenses. With the varying prices of fuel in recent years, the cost of a trip has become a critical factor in deciding the best route to take. In this article, we’ll examine the different possible routes from Central, Louisiana to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, highlighting the cost and distance of each and recommending the best route.
The Possible Routes
There are different possible routes to take when traveling from Central, Louisiana, to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. These routes include:
Route 1: The I-20/I-30 Route
This route is about 460 miles long and can take approximately 7.5 hours, depending on traffic. To follow this route, you’ll first take the I-49 N from Central, Louisiana, to Texarkana, Arkansas, and then join the I-30 E route towards Little Rock, Arkansas. From Little Rock, head to the Northwest and take the US-67 N to Walnut Ridge. Then, take the US-63 N route to Hoxie and finally, follow the AR-230 W/AR-34 W to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
The estimated fuel cost for this route is about $70.08, based on a vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon (MPG) with fuel price of $2.45 per gallon. The amount excludes other expenses, such as food, accommodation, and vehicle maintenance.
Route 2: The US-71 Route
This route is about 508 miles long and can take approximately 9 hours, depending on traffic. To follow this route, you’ll first take the I-49 N from Central, Louisiana, and continue driving through Arkansas, connecting to the US-71N from Rosston. Follow the US-71N to Joplin, Missouri, and then connect to the I-44E to Springfield, Missouri. From Springfield, head south and follow the MO-13S to Branson before connecting to the US-65N to Harrison, Arkansas. Finally, follow AR-62 E to Eureka Springs.
The estimated fuel cost for this route is about $82.29, based on a vehicle that gets 25 MPG with fuel price of $2.45 per gallon. The amount excludes other expenses, such as food, accommodation, and vehicle maintenance.
Route 3: The LA-550/US-65 Route
This route is about 470 miles long and can take approximately 7.5 hours, depending on traffic. To follow this route, take the LA-550 route from Central, Louisiana, and then connect to the US-65N in Arkansas. Follow the US-65N to Harrison, Arkansas, and then take the AR-62 E to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
The estimated fuel cost for this route is about $73.10, based on a vehicle that gets 25 MPG with fuel price of $2.45 per gallon. The amount excludes other expenses, such as food, accommodation, and vehicle maintenance.
The Recommended Route
From the routes above, it’s apparent that Route 1, the I-20/I-30 route, is not only the shortest at 460 miles but also the cheapest at $70.08 for fuel cost. It’s also a more comfortable and faster route as it's all highways compared to the other routes. Therefore, this route is our recommended route.
Conclusion
In conclusion, traveling from Central, Louisiana, to Eureka Springs, Arkansas can be quite a distance and require considerable fuel expenses. Route 1, the I-20/I-30 route, is the cheapest, shortest, and most accessible route. However, it's critical to factor in other costs, such as food, accommodation, and vehicle maintenance if you're planning a road trip. With all these factors considered, you should be able to estimate the total cost of your trip and make an informed budget. Happy travels!