How Much Is a Road Trip From NY to LA?

By Michael Ferguson

Are you planning a road trip from New York to Los Angeles? The first question that comes to mind is how much will it cost?

Well, the answer is not straightforward as there are many variables that can affect the cost of your road trip. In this article, we’ll break down the expenses and help you estimate how much you need to budget for your cross-country adventure.

Transportation

The first expense to consider is transportation. If you plan on driving your own car, you will need to factor in gas, oil changes, and any necessary repairs.

The total cost of gasoline will vary depending on the type of car you have and the current price of gas. On average, it costs around $0.12 per mile for gas. So, if you plan on driving 2,800 miles from New York to Los Angeles, it would cost about $336 in gas alone.

If you don’t want to put that kind of wear and tear on your own car or don’t have one at all, renting a car is another option. The average rental car costs between $30-$50 per day plus additional fees like taxes, insurance, and mileage charges. For a two-week road trip from New York to Los Angeles with an estimated 3,000 miles driven, expect to pay around $1,000-$1,500 for a rental car.

Food

The next expense is food. You’ll need to budget for meals each day during your trip.

If you plan on eating out at restaurants for every meal, it could easily add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the course of two weeks. A more affordable option would be to buy groceries and cook meals in your hotel room or campsite.

Assuming an average meal cost of $10 per person per meal and three meals per day for two weeks (14 days), expect to spend around $840 on food for two people. However, if you choose to cook your meals, you can significantly reduce this cost.

Lodging

Another expense to consider is lodging. If you plan on staying in hotels or motels, expect to pay an average of $100-$150 per night.

For a two-week road trip, this would add up to around $1,400-$2,100. If you’re looking to save money, camping is a great option. Most campsites charge between $20-$50 per night.

Entertainment

Finally, you’ll need to budget for entertainment. This includes things like tourist attractions, museum admissions, and other activities along the way.

The cost of entertainment will vary depending on what you choose to do and see. However, it’s safe to budget around $500 for two weeks of entertainment.

Summary

So how much does a road trip from New York to Los Angeles cost? Here’s a breakdown:

– Transportation: $336 (gas) or $1,000-$1,500 (rental car)
– Food: $840 (eating out) or less if cooking your own meals
– Lodging: $1,400-$2,100 (hotels) or $280-$700 (camping)
– Entertainment: $500

The total cost for a two-week road trip from New York to Los Angeles could range from around $2,076 to over $4,000 depending on your choices and preferences.

Final Thoughts

Planning a road trip from New York to Los Angeles requires careful consideration of all expenses involved. By breaking down each category and estimating costs based on your preferences and choices along the way, you can create a realistic budget that ensures a fun and memorable cross-country adventure!