The Cost of a Trip from Brookhaven, Georgia to Vienna, Virginia
As summer is quickly approaching, many people are starting to plan their vacations. One common form of traveling is by car. If you are planning a trip from Brookhaven, Georgia to Vienna, Virginia - a distance of approximately 600 miles - the cost of the trip will depend on various factors such as the mode of transportation, gas prices, the route you choose, and how much you plan to spend on food and accommodations. In this article, we will look at the potential costs of driving from Brookhaven, Georgia to Vienna, Virginia, including possible routes and the costs associated with them.
Possible Driving Routes
Before we look at the costs of the trip, let's explore the various driving routes from Brookhaven, Georgia to Vienna, Virginia.
Route 1: I-85 North and I-95 North
One of the most popular routes for traveling from Brookhaven to Vienna is by taking Interstate 85 North and then switching to Interstate 95 as you approach Richmond, Virginia. This route spans approximately 630 miles, which should take around 9 ½ hours to drive without stopping.
Route 2: Highway 29 and I-66 W
Another possible route is taking Highway 29 for most of the journey, then hopping onto Interstate 66 W towards Vienna, Virginia. This route is slightly shorter than Route 1, coming in at around 590 miles and roughly 9 hours of driving.
Route 3: I-20 West, I-85 North, I-95 North, and I-395 North
A third possible driving route is taking a detour towards the coast before heading north towards Vienna. This route includes taking Interstate 20 West towards Augusta, Georgia, then switching to Interstate 85 North towards Richmond, Virginia before hopping onto interstate 95 North and finally taking Interstate 395 North. This route spans a distance of approximately 641 miles with an estimated driving time of around 10 hours.
Calculating Fuel Costs
Now that we have a clear idea of the routes we can take, let's consider the cost of gas for the trip. According to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, the average gas price in Georgia and Virginia for May 2021 is around $2.85 per gallon, but this can vary depending on the city and location. To calculate the fuel cost, we can use the number of miles for each route, the average fuel economy of your vehicle, and the gas price per gallon. Let's assume a car has an average fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon.
Route 1: I-85 North and I-95 North
For Route 1, the total distance is approximately 630 miles. If we divide this by the fuel economy, it means that we will use 25.2 gallons of gas for the whole journey. If we multiply this by the average gas price of $2.85, we get a total fuel cost of approximately $71.82.
Route 2: Highway 29 and I-66 W
For Route 2, the total distance is around 590 miles. Divided by the average fuel economy of 25, this means that we will use 23.6 gallons of gas to complete this route. Multiplying this by the average gas price of $2.85, we get a total fuel cost of approximately $67.11.
Route 3: I-20 West, I-85 North, I-95 North, and I-395 North
For Route 3, the total distance is approximately 641 miles. Divided by the average fuel economy of 25, this means that we will use 25.64 gallons of gas for the entire journey. Multiplying this by the average gas price of $2.85, we get a total fuel cost of approximately $73.12.
Considering Other Costs
Other expenses that you may incur while traveling include lodging, food, and tolls. For our purposes, we will assume that we spend a combined $150 on these expenses for the entire journey.
Accommodation
If you decide to stay overnight on the road, then you will need to budget for the cost of lodging. Popular options include hotel chains like Super 8 and Comfort Inn, which typically cost around $70 - $110 per night depending on the location and type of room.
Food
Food is another expense that you should consider while traveling. Assuming that each person will spend an average of $10 for breakfast, $15 for lunch, and $20 for dinner, we can estimate that the total cost of food for the entire journey will be around $150 for one person.
Tolls
Finally, it is essential to factor in the cost of tolls. If you take Route 1 from Brookhaven to Vienna, you will go through several tolls along the way, including the George Washington Bridge, Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, and Fort McHenry Tunnel. These tolls can cost anywhere from $4 to $15, depending on the time of day and the type of vehicle.
Conclusion
After considering the different driving routes and other expenses during the trip, it is clear that Route 2: Highway 29 and I-66 W is the most cost-effective route for this journey, costing approximately $217.11 in fuel, lodging, meals, tolls, and other expenses. This route is much shorter than the other two, saving both time and money. Overall, this trip will take around 9-10hours, depending on the number of stops and routes taken. By choosing the most economic route, you can enjoy a stress-free journey from Brookhaven, Georgia to Vienna, Virginia without breaking the bank.