The Cost of a Trip from Chandler, Arizona to Lawrence, Kansas

When planning a long-distance road trip, it's essential to factor in the cost of gas. The price of gas varies from state to state, and it's essential to account for this when budgeting your trip. In this article, we'll take a look at the cost of a road trip from Chandler, Arizona, to Lawrence, Kansas, based on current gas prices.

Route Options

The distance between Chandler and Lawrence is approximately 1,200 miles. There are several possible routes to take, depending on your travel preferences and the time you have.

Route 1: I-40 E and I-35 N

One possible route is to take I-40 East until you reach Oklahoma City, then switch to I-35 North until you reach Lawrence. This route spans a total of 1,211 miles, and the estimated time is 19 hours and 17 minutes, according to Google Maps.

Route 2: I-10 E and I-35 N

Another possible route is to take I-10 East until you reach San Antonio, then switch to I-35 North until you reach Lawrence. This option spans a total of 1,361 miles, and the estimated time is 20 hours and 58 minutes.

Route 3: I-40 E and US-54 E

A third route option is to take I-40 East until you reach Tucumcari, then switch to US-54 East until you reach Lawrence. This route spans a total of 1,312 miles, and the estimated time is 20 hours and 20 minutes.

Gas Prices

The cost of gas plays a significant role in determining the total cost of your trip. The gas prices can vary significantly from state to state, and you should factor this into your trip planning.

According to AAA's gas price tracker, the current average gas price in Arizona is $3.54 per gallon, and in Kansas, it is $2.89 per gallon. This means that you'll likely pay more for gas while traveling through Arizona and less while traveling through Kansas.

Estimating the Cost

To estimate the total cost of gas for each route option, we'll assume that we're driving a car that gets 25 miles per gallon, and that the price of gas remains constant throughout the trip. We'll also assume that we're filling up our gas tank whenever it reaches half full.

Route 1: I-40 E and I-35 N

The total distance of this route is 1,211 miles. Based on a car that gets 25 miles per gallon, we'll use approximately 49 gallons of gas. At the average gas price in Arizona of $3.54 per gallon, we'll pay approximately $173.46 for gas. In Kansas, we'll use approximately 48.44 gallons at $2.89 per gallon, bringing the total gas cost to approximately $140.05. In total, we'll pay approximately $313.51 for gas for this route.

Route 2: I-10 E and I-35 N

The total distance of this route is 1,361 miles. Based on a car that gets 25 miles per gallon, we'll use approximately 54.44 gallons of gas. At the average gas price in Arizona of $3.54 per gallon, we'll pay approximately $192.59 for gas. In Kansas, we'll use approximately 50.16 gallons at $2.89 per gallon, bringing the total gas cost to approximately $145.00. In total, we'll pay approximately $337.59 for gas for this route.

Route 3: I-40 E and US-54 E

The total distance of this route is 1,312 miles. Based on a car that gets 25 miles per gallon, we'll use approximately 52.48 gallons of gas. At the average gas price in Arizona of $3.54 per gallon, we'll pay approximately $186.13 for gas. In Kansas, we'll use approximately 47.52 gallons at $2.89 per gallon, bringing the total gas cost to approximately $137.51. In total, we'll pay approximately $323.64 for gas for this route.

Recommendations

Based on our estimations, Route 3 would be the most cost-effective option, costing approximately $323.64 for gas. Route 1 would be the second-most cost-effective option, costing approximately $313.51 for gas. Route 2 would be the most expensive, costing approximately $337.59 for gas.

However, it's important to note that the cost of gas is just one factor to consider when planning a road trip. You might prefer a longer route for scenery or to make stops along the way, or you might need to factor in the cost of tolls or lodging.

Conclusion

Planning a road trip can be exciting, but it's essential to factor in the cost of gas when budgeting. Based on current gas prices and a car that gets 25 miles per gallon, we've estimated that driving from Chandler, Arizona, to Lawrence, Kansas, could cost approximately $323.64 for gas if you take Route 3. The route you choose ultimately depends on your preferences and priorities, but considering the cost of gas is an essential step in planning your trip.