The Cost of Driving from Alexandria to College Park

Summer is here and with it comes road trips, weekend getaways, and family vacations. If you're planning a trip from Alexandria, Virginia to College Park, Maryland, you may be wondering about the cost of driving. With gas prices on the rise, it's important to factor in the cost of fuel along with any tolls you may encounter on your journey. In this blog post, we'll explore the different routes you can take, the distance of each route, how long it takes, and the cost of each route.

Route 1: Via I-495 N

One of the most direct routes from Alexandria to College Park is via I-495 N. The total distance of this route is approximately 18 miles and takes around 25 minutes to complete. The cost of this route is based on gas prices, which are currently around $2.85 per gallon. A car that gets 25 miles per gallon will use 0.72 gallons for the trip, and the cost of gas will be around $2.05.

If you encounter any tolls on this route, such as on the Dulles Toll Road or the Montgomery County toll road, the cost can increase. It's important to know the toll prices beforehand and factor them into your budget. With this in mind, the total cost of this route is approximately $2.05 plus any tolls.

Route 2: Via US-1 N

Another route you can take is via US-1 N. This route is slightly longer at around 20 miles but takes about the same amount of time as Route 1. The cost of this route is based on the same gas prices, and a car that gets 25 miles per gallon will use 0.80 gallons for the trip. The cost of gas will be around $2.28, with any tolls as an additional cost.

There are a few tolls on this route to be aware of, including the Potomac River toll and the Bay Bridge toll. Even with these extra costs, the total cost of this route is still around $2.28 plus any tolls.

Route 3: Via I-395 N and US-50 E

If you prefer a scenic drive, you may want to take I-395 N and US-50 E. This route is the longest of the three at around 22 miles, but it takes around the same amount of time as the other routes. The cost of this route is based on the same gas prices, and a car that gets 25 miles per gallon will use 0.88 gallons for the trip. The cost of gas will be around $2.50.

There are no tolls on this route, making the total cost of this route around $2.50.

Conclusion

The cost of driving from Alexandria to College Park can vary depending on the route you take and any tolls you may encounter. If you take I-495 N, the total cost is around $2.05 plus any tolls. If you take US-1 N, the total cost is around $2.28 plus any tolls. If you take I-395 N and US-50 E, the total cost is around $2.50. With these costs in mind, you can plan your budget accordingly and enjoy your trip worry-free. Safe travels!