The High Cost of a Road Trip from Bristow, Virginia to Orlando, Florida

If you are considering a road trip from Bristow, Virginia to Orlando, Florida, you might be wondering how much it will cost. The total cost of the trip will depend on several factors, including gas prices, the route you take, and the cost of lodging and food. In this article, we will examine the different routes you can take and provide an estimate of the total cost of the trip.

Route Options

There are several routes you can take between Bristow and Orlando, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common routes are:

I-95 South: This is the most direct route, but it can be congested and has tolls in some areas.
I-85 South: This route is longer but has fewer tolls and is less congested.
I-81 South and I-77 South: This is the most scenic route and has fewer tolls, but it adds miles and time to your trip.

Cost Estimate

To calculate the cost of the trip, we will assume the following:

A round trip of 2,400 miles.
A car that gets 25 miles per gallon on the highway.
An average gas price of $3.00 per gallon.
An estimated hotel cost of $100 per night.
An estimated food cost of $50 per day.

I-95 S Route

This route is the shortest at 881 miles, but it has tolls in some areas. To calculate the cost of the trip, we will assume the following toll fees:

George Washington Bridge: $16.00
Delaware River Bridge: $5.00
Baltimore Harbor Tunnel: $4.00
Fort McHenry Tunnel: $4.00
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel: $29.00
Florida Turnpike: $21.00

In total, the toll fees will add up to $79.00. Assuming 96 gallons of gas are required (based on distance and fuel economy), the fuel cost for this route will be $288.00. With an estimated hotel cost of $800 (8 nights), and an estimated food cost of $400 for the round trip, the total cost of the trip will be approximately $1,567.00.

I-85 S Route

This route is longer at 948 miles, but it has fewer tolls and is less congested. To calculate the cost of the trip, we will assume only two toll fees:

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel: $29.00
Florida Turnpike: $21.00

In total, the toll fees will add up to $50.00. Assuming 128 gallons of gas are required (based on distance and fuel economy), the fuel cost for this route will be $384.00. With an estimated hotel cost of $800 (8 nights), and an estimated food cost of $400 for the round trip, the total cost of the trip will be approximately $1,634.00.

I-81 S and I-77 S Route

This route is the most scenic at 1,151 miles, and it has fewer tolls, but it adds miles and time to your trip. To calculate the cost of the trip, we will assume the following toll fees:

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel: $29.00

In total, the toll fees will add up to $29.00. Assuming 153 gallons of gas are required (based on distance and fuel economy), the fuel cost for this route will be $459.00. With an estimated hotel cost of $800 (8 nights), and an estimated food cost of $400 for the round trip, the total cost of the trip will be approximately $1,688.00.

Recommendation

Based on the cost estimates and the advantages and disadvantages of each route, we recommend taking the I-85 S route. This route has fewer tolls and is less congested, making the trip more comfortable and cost-effective.

Conclusion

Taking into account the estimated cost and distance of each route and toll fees, it is clear that the I-85 S route is the most cost-effective and comfortable for a road trip from Bristow, Virginia, to Orlando, Florida. With a total cost of approximately $1,634 and a distance of nearly 1,000 miles, this route takes roughly 15 hours of driving. Make sure you have proper rest and have a successful trip!