Travel The US By Car: Here's How Much A Coast-To-Coast Road Trip Will Cost (2024)

Driving coast to coast is one of the great road trips to have on your bucket list. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one that can be tweaked to include some of the most scenic road trips in the United States. Driving from coast to coast has been an iconic American adventure ever since historic Route 66 opened 100 years ago. Road trips are one of the great adventures that most people can afford, but they can also be difficult to budget for.

The United States is arguably one of the best (if not, the best) countries worldwide for an epic road trip. The United States boasts a great road network, dramatic landscapes, free camping spots (in many states), and comparatively affordable gasoline. Here is how much a coast-to-coast US road trip will cost.

Coast-to-Coast Road Trip: The Ultimate US Road Trip Experience

Drive the full length of Route 66 across the United States to New England

Route 66, Williams, Arizona

The most famous route across the United States is the historic Route 66, but this is far from the only excellent option. For example, motorists can choose to drive from Maine across the Great Lakes, the Dakotas, and the Pacific Northwest; the possibilities of a coast-to-coast road trip are endless.

For the sake of simplicity, this article will suggest a coast-to-coast route from Portland, Maine to Chicago, Illinois, and then along the historic Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. This route runs through Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Illinois to Chicago. From Chicago, the road trip continues along Route 66 through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

The Route 66 segment of the road trip is over 2,000 miles long while the segment from Chicago to Portland, Maine adds over 1,000 miles.

• Distance: Over 3,200 miles
• Driving Time: Approx 47 hours (non-stop)
• Estimated Days: 10 to 11 Days (averaging 5 hours driving time per day)

The route can be driven in around 47 hours nonstop. How long this will take to complete depends in part on what motorists want (do they just want to drive it, or see a few things along the way?).

Driving an average of five hours per day (this allows for some time to see attractions along the way), it will take around 10 to 11 days to drive from Portland, Maine to Los Angeles, California.

Estimating The Cost Of A Coast-to-Coast Road Trip

Expect to spend $1,650 to $2,020 for a 10-day, 3200-mile coast-to-coast road trip

View of a road in Las Vegas, Nevada

Estimating the coasts of a coast-to-coast road trip is a little tricky. These costs can be managed by camping some nights, driving a fuel-efficient car (or EV), etc. But here are some reasonable estimates.

Example Motels On The Route:

• Casco Bay Hotel Ascend Hotel Collection: $74 per night (Portland, Maine)
• The Executive Inn & Suites: $58 Per Night (Amarillo, Texas)
• Garden Inn San Gabriel: $75 Per Night (LA, California)

Motels across the United States typically range from around $50 to $85 per night.

The average cost of gasoline in the US is $3.01 per gallon. A Ford Explorer gets around 27 miles per gallon on the highway but only 18 MPG for city driving. The estimated miles driven are 3,200 miles (per Google Maps) plus 20% for detours, attractions, and more, rounding up to 3,850 miles. This suggests around 172 gallons or $517 worth of fuel, assuming an average MPG based on a combination of city and highway driving.

Road Trip Cost Breakdown:

• Accommodation Cost: $500 - $850 (assuming 10 nights at budget motels)
• Fuel Cost: Approx. $517
• Food: $450 ($40 per day)
• Miscellaneous Expenses: $200 ($20 per day)
• Total Expenses: Approx $1,650 to $2,020

The cost of eating could be anywhere from $100 per day for those eating out or as little as $15 per day for those willing to pack their own food. Other expenses include tolls, parking, and admission fees for any attractions; this is estimated at $20 per day but could be much more.

Other Ways To Cross The United States Coast To Coast

Road trips are the best for flexibility, but train trips offer great views

Amtrak arrives downtown at Union Station, San Diego, California

Nothing beats the flexibility of driving across the nation in one's own vehicle, but there are other modes of travel. The golden age of train travel may be past, but it is still possible and enjoyable to take a train ride from coast to coast.

Amtrak has a train service that runs from the East Coast to the West Coast. This costs between $1,250 and $3,000 per person and takes 10 days. This is cost-competitive for those driving themselves (although sharing the cost of a road trip will make it cheaper).

The coast-to-coast adventure can be extended with a 17-day Los Angeles to NYC via New Orleans Amtrak adventure. Those who are looking for the ultimate cross-America adventure can consider hiking the 2,800 miles across the nation.

Of course, a coast-to-coast road trip is the most customizable option if you want to stop and take in the sights and have some control over your daily spending. Seeing the US by car is well worth attempting if it fits into your travel budget!