Driving Cost from Buffalo, New York to Arlington, Virginia

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The Cost of a Road Trip from Buffalo, NY to Arlington, VA: Exploring Your Route Options

If you're planning a road trip from Buffalo, NY to Arlington, VA, there are a few different routes you could take. Each route has its own pros and cons in terms of cost, distance, and travel time. In this article, we'll break down some of the possible routes and give you an idea of how much you can expect to spend on gas and tolls.

Route Option 1: Take I-90 and I-76

The first route option is to take I-90 and I-76. This is the most direct route, but it does involve paying tolls. From Buffalo, NY, you would take I-90 East until you reach I-76 East in Ohio. From there, you would continue on I-76 East all the way to Arlington, VA.

The total distance for this route is approximately 450 miles, and according to GasBuddy, the average gas price along this route is currently around $2.50 per gallon. Based on a vehicle with an average fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon, you can expect to spend roughly $45 in gas for the entire trip.

In terms of tolls, there are a few different tolls you'll need to pay along this route. Here's a breakdown of the total tolls you can expect to pay:

  • New York State Thruway (Buffalo to Pennsylvania border): $12.80
  • Pennsylvania Turnpike (Pennsylvania border to Valley Forge exit): $48.50
  • Virginia tolls (Various locations): $13.40

So, in total, you would need to pay around $74.70 in tolls for this route.

Route Option 2: Take I-86 and I-81

The second route option is to take I-86 and I-81. This route is a bit longer than the first route, but there are no tolls to pay along the way. From Buffalo, NY, you would take I-86 East until you reach I-81 South in Pennsylvania. From there, you would continue on I-81 South all the way to Arlington, VA.

The total distance for this route is approximately 520 miles, and according to GasBuddy, the average gas price along this route is currently around $2.50 per gallon. Based on a vehicle with an average fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon, you can expect to spend roughly $52 in gas for the entire trip.

Since there are no tolls to pay along this route, your total cost for this route would be $52 for gas.

Route Option 3: Take I-86, I-88, and I-81

The third route option is to take I-86, I-88, and I-81. This route is the longest of the three, but it also avoids tolls for most of the trip. From Buffalo, NY, you would take I-86 East until you reach I-88 East in New York. From there, you would continue on I-88 East until you reach I-81 South in Pennsylvania. From there, you would continue on I-81 South all the way to Arlington, VA.

The total distance for this route is approximately 575 miles, and according to GasBuddy, the average gas price along this route is currently around $2.50 per gallon. Based on a vehicle with an average fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon, you can expect to spend roughly $58 in gas for the entire trip.

In terms of tolls, the only toll you'll need to pay along this route is the New York State Thruway (Buffalo to Pennsylvania border), which costs $12.80.

So, in total, you would need to pay around $12.80 in tolls and $58 in gas for a total cost of $70.80.

Choosing the Best Route

So, which route is the best option? It really depends on your priorities. If you want the fastest and most direct route, then the first option (I-90 and I-76) is probably your best bet. However, if you want to save money on tolls and don't mind taking a slightly longer route, then either the second option (I-86 and I-81) or the third option (I-86, I-88, and I-81) would be a good choice.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to balancing cost, distance, and travel time.

Conclusion

No matter which route you choose, a road trip from Buffalo, NY to Arlington, VA can be a fun and affordable way to explore the East Coast. Depending on your priorities, you can choose a route that fits your budget and travel goals. Safe travels!