Budgeting Your Drive: Cost of a Trip From Destin to Bradenton, Florida Based on Current Gas Prices
Are you planning a road trip from Destin to Bradenton, Florida? With picturesque beaches and delightful scenery along the way, this drive is not only enjoyable but also relatively affordable, especially if you keep an eye on your expenses! Let’s break down some of the most popular routes, the distances involved, expected travel times, and associated costs based on current gas prices.
Route 1: US-98 E to I-75 S
This route is the most straightforward and commonly used by travelers.
- Distance: approximately 302 miles
- Time: about 5 hours and 15 minutes
- Gas Price: Let's assume current gas prices hover around $3.50 per gallon.
To estimate your fuel cost, assume your vehicle averages 25 miles per gallon. Therefore, your trip would require roughly 12 gallons of gas:
- Total Fuel Cost: 12 gallons × $3.50/gallon = $42.00
Remember, tolls may vary, but for this route, you might hit a couple of small tolls that could cost around $5.00. So, your grand total for this route would be:
Total Estimated Cost for Route 1: $47.00
Route 2: US-331 S to I-10 E, Then I-75 S
This alternative route offers a little more scenic beauty as you travel through some lovely parts of the Florida Panhandle and then connect to the more direct path.
- Distance: approximately 310 miles
- Time: about 5 hours and 30 minutes
- Gas Price: Again, let’s work with the same gas price of $3.50 per gallon.
With similar fuel efficiency in your vehicle of 25 miles per gallon, you would need approximately 12.4 gallons of gas for this trip, leading to a fuel cost of:
- Total Fuel Cost: 12.4 gallons × $3.50/gallon = $43.40
This route may have slightly higher tolls, potentially adding up to $7.00. Hence, the total cost for your trip would be:
Total Estimated Cost for Route 2: $50.40
Route 3: Scenic Route via Florida State Road 83
For those who enjoy a scenic drive, this route meanders through beautiful landscapes and charming little towns.
- Distance: approximately 330 miles
- Time: about 6 hours
- Gas Price: Sticking with our gas price of $3.50 per gallon, your vehicle's efficiency of 25 miles per gallon will again be used to find the fuel costs.
You would need about 13.2 gallons of gas, giving you a total fuel cost of:
- Total Fuel Cost: 13.2 gallons × $3.50/gallon = $46.20
This route typically features fewer tolls, so you might not need to spend much here—let's estimate around $3.00. Thus, your total cost for this picturesque journey will be:
Total Estimated Cost for Route 3: $49.20
Final Thoughts
Traveling from Destin to Bradenton can be an exhilarating journey, fueled by adventure and beautiful views. Whether you choose the quickest route or the most scenic one, understanding the costs associated with your trip can help you plan better.
In summary, here are your estimated costs:
- Route 1 (US-98 E to I-75 S): $47.00
- Route 2 (US-331 S to I-10 E, then I-75 S): $50.40
- Route 3 (Scenic Route via FL-83): $49.20
No matter which route you decide to take, safe travels, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination!