The US President’s limousine, know as “The Beast” can survive a rocket attack. Picture: Saul Loeb Source: AFP

But why are these trips so pricey? It turns out that the travel costs alone are about $3403 per minute for a US president, reports The Sun.

A detailed video by Wendover Productions, produced during President Obama’s term, has explained in a step-by-step guide why those costs add up so quickly — although some parts had to be estimated because of government security.

Because the President is very vulnerable when he travels, extreme lengths have to be taken to make sure an attack can’t be made on his life, so there are hundreds of staff involved in manning the motorcades, helicopters and jets that carry him and his team around the world.

The presidential motorcade alone includes 40 to 50 vehicles, either leading or following the presidential car.

This includes 20 to 30 motorbikes from the local police department, who make sure no other cars are cluttering the road and block any junctions so cars can’t suddenly appear.

They are followed by a group of vehicles called the ‘Secure Package’, which is a secondary protective layer around the President that can break away and work independently if it comes under attack.

At the front of this pack is a special car, which carries radio frequency masts on its roof to scramble any potential remotely-activated bombs.

As well as secret agents, bodyguards and police, this bubble of cars also contains the President’s doctor in case of an emergency, and a military aide.

In case of attack, the car carries grenades, a tear gas cannon, shotguns and two litres of the blood that is the same type as the President’s.

The Presidential motorcade on the day Donald Trump was inaugurated. Picture: Joe RaedleSource:AFP

At the centre of this protective bubble are two identical bulletproof presidential limousines, so that it is impossible to tell which one the President is travelling in.

Bringing up the rear of the presidential motorcade is the press pool, who have been chosen by the President to report on his visit, an ID car that identifies outside threats and a special truck that has the equipment to deal with a chemical or biological attack.

They are trailed by yet another car filled with secret service agents and more local police on motorcycles, who prevent any attacks by cars from the rear.

For journeys longer than 30 minutes, often when the President needs to get to the airport, the president will typically take a helicopter, operated by the Marine Corps.

Marine One flies with a heavy escort, including attack helicopters and a decoy. Picture: Pablo Martinez MonsivaisSource:AP

Trump boards Air Force One, which has been described as a “flying fortress”. Picture: Susan WalshSource:AP

Whenever the President takes a flight, he is transported to and from the airport using a helicopter, which is joined by a further five identical helicopters, costing around $2865 each per hour, to lower the risk of an attack.

For long journeys, there are two modified Boeing 747’s that operate as the President’s private jet, which costs almost $270,000 per hour of flight.

As well as the President’s jet, there is also a cargo plane that needs to carry the motorcade vehicles and the helicopters to the place the President is headed to.

With all that, it’s no surprise that the cost of the President’s travel is around $455 million, which works out at a quarter of the White House’s annual budget.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was republished with permission.