How Much Would a Road Trip From California to Florida Cost?

By Robert Palmer

Are you planning a road trip from California to Florida? It’s a long journey, so it’s important to budget properly to make sure you have enough money for gas, food, and lodging. In this article, we’ll break down the costs of a road trip from California to Florida.

Route

The route you take will affect the cost of your road trip. The most direct route from California to Florida is approximately 2,800 miles and takes about 40 hours of driving time.

However, you may want to take detours or explore different areas along the way. This can add extra miles and time to your trip, but it can also make it more enjoyable.

Gas

Gas will be one of your biggest expenses on your road trip. The average price of gas in California is around $4 per gallon, while in Florida it’s around $2.50 per gallon. Assuming your vehicle gets 25 miles per gallon and gas prices stay the same throughout your trip, you’ll need around 112 gallons of gas for the entire journey at a cost of approximately $450.

Lodging

You’ll need a place to stay during your road trip. You can choose from hotels, motels, campgrounds or even Airbnb rentals depending on your preference and budget.

The average cost of a hotel room in California is around $150 per night while in Florida it’s around $120 per night. If you plan on staying in hotels for the entire trip at an average rate of $135 per night for 10 nights, lodging will cost you approximately $1,350.

Food

You’ll also need to eat during your road trip. The cost of food will depend on where and what you eat.

If you plan on eating out at restaurants for every meal and spending an average of $15 per meal, you’ll spend around $450 on food for the entire trip. However, if you plan on cooking your own meals or bringing food with you, you can save a significant amount of money.

Attractions

You may also want to visit some attractions along the way. The cost of attractions will vary depending on what you choose to do.

Some attractions may be free while others may cost hundreds of dollars. It’s important to research and budget for any attractions before leaving for your trip.

Total Cost

Assuming you take the most direct route from California to Florida and stay in hotels for 10 nights while eating out at restaurants for every meal and visiting a few attractions along the way, your total cost would be approximately $2,700. However, if you choose to camp or stay in Airbnb rentals and cook your own meals, you could significantly reduce your expenses.

Conclusion

A road trip from California to Florida can be an exciting adventure. By budgeting properly and researching costs beforehand, you can make sure you have enough money for all of your expenses. Whether you’re on a tight budget or have more money to spend, there are plenty of options available for an enjoyable road trip experience.