The Cost of a Road Trip from Centreville, Virginia to Houston, Texas

Are you planning to hit the road from Centreville, Virginia to Houston, Texas? If so, you must have a rough idea of how much it would cost to complete the journey. In this article, we will break down the expenses of driving from Centreville to Houston based on current gas prices. We will also examine the different possible routes and highlight their distance and cost. Finally, we will recommend the best route that ensures you save money and time.

The Different Possible Routes

The first decision you need to make is which route to take from Centreville to Houston. Generally, you have three possible routes, including:

Route 1: The I-81 South Route

The I-81 South Route is the most common and straightforward path; it covers approximately 1,250 miles. From Centreville, you'll start by taking I-66 West, and you’ll drive around 650 miles through states like West Virginia, Tennessee, and Virginia until you get to I-40 in Knoxville. At this point, you will take I-40 West and head towards Arkansas for around 278 miles. After this, you’ll connect to I-30 before finally reaching Texas. Upon reaching Texas, you’ll connect to I-45 South and take it for around 50 miles and then switch to I-610 West until you arrive in Houston.

Route 2: The I-68 and I-40 West Route

The second route you could take is the I-68 and I-40 West Route. Starting from Centreville, you'll take I-66 West until you get to I-81 South, then drive for about 50 miles and connect to I-68 West in Cumberland. At this point, you'll drive towards Morgantown in West Virginia, and join I-79 South, then to I-77 South. After this, you'll take I-40 West to Nashville, where you will then join I-65, driving south through Alabama, Mississippi, and then into Louisiana. Afterward, you’ll connect to I-10 and drive east for 112 miles to reach Houston.

Route 3: The Blue Ridge Parkway Route

The third option is the Blue Ridge Parkway Route, which is the longest and most scenic. From Centreville, you'll start by taking I-66 West, then switch to I-81 South and drive until you get to Roanoke. Next, you'll join the Blue Ridge Parkway and follow it for around 470 miles, taking in epic views of North Carolina and Tennessee until you reach Asheville. At this point, you'll join I-26 West, and drive for about 170 miles, then connect with I-40 West in Asheville toward Memphis, then to Little Rock, Arkansas, before arriving in Texas and following I-45 South to Houston.

The Cost and Distance of Each Route

Now that we’ve highlighted the different routes let's look at how far each one is and the estimated cost of the trip, based on the prevailing gas prices.

I-81 South Route

The I-81 South Route is the shortest and the most direct, covering 1250 miles. By our estimates, you will need around 95 gallons of gas, costing you about $285 if gas costs $3 per gallon.

I-68 and I-40 West Route

The I-68 and I-40 West Route covers around 1400 miles and requires approximately 108 gallons of gas, costing about $324 at an average of $3 per gallon.

Blue Ridge Parkway Route

The Blue Ridge Parkway Route is the longest and the most scenic; it covers around 1600 miles and requires about 120 gallons of gas, costing approximately $360 at an average of $3 per gallon.

Our Recommendation

Based on the distance and cost analysis, the I-81 South Route is the most economical and the most direct. It provides the shortest distance and lower fuel consumption, translating to lower fuel expenses. Since it's a direct path, it saves you time, which would otherwise be spent covering a more extended distance along the other routes.

Furthermore, the I-81 South Route has numerous filling stations selling gas at competitive costs, meaning you can quickly fill up your tank without straining financially. We, therefore, recommend the I-81 South Route for a convenient, economical, and time-saving journey to Houston.

Conclusion

In conclusion, embarking on a road trip from Centreville, Virginia, to Houston, Texas, requires proper planning, particularly regarding fuel costs. The I-81 South Route is the most economical, direct, and time-saving option; it's also accessible to several gas stations with competitive costs. By taking this route, we estimate that you will cover 1250 miles, use about 95 gallons of fuel, and spend approximately $285 based on prevailing gas prices. Finally, brace yourself for breathtaking scenery along your journey, particularly in the Blue Ridge Mountains.