We left Monticello, UT this morning to make our way toward Austin, TX. The next few miles – about 20 before we hit the Colorado border – were beautiful! We drove past the Canyons of the Ancients and Cindy was able to get some great pictures. I’m going to post all of her pictures very soon on Flickr but here’s just a peek.
We drove that short distance and entered Colorado when I was directed to enter the Port Of Entry. As is the practice of the West, I was asked to bring out my wallet and shell out $74.60 for a “trip permit” – a piece of paper that gives me the privilege of traveling through the great state of Colorado. I was only in the state for 67 miles so it cost me, roughly, $1.11 per mile to drive through Colorado.
You guessed it, as we entered New Mexico, I was once again directed to enter the Port of Entry where I handed over another $55.00 to the state for the privilege of traveling through New Mexico. With diesel fuel averaging around $4.35/gallon and the additional expenses of these trip permits, life on the road isn’t getting any cheaper!
If you’ve been keeping track (like I have), here’s my total for the last few weeks:
New Mexico – $143.60
California – $130.00
Oregon – $162.02
Washington – $58.00
Idaho – $91.50
Utah – $ 50.00
Colorado – $74.60
TOTAL – $709.72
And that’s not the end yet! I still have to buy these permits AGAIN when we travel from Texas through New Mexico ($86.60) and California ($60.00).
That will bring the grand total to $856.32.
…BUT WAIT, there’s more! Once we wrap up in California, Nolan and I will make the trip back across country where we’ll be buying some of these permits for the third time.
Cha-ching! That’s the magic word to make your money disappear!