The Cost of a Road Trip from Buffalo, NY to Myrtle Beach, SC
Gas Prices Fluctuation Makes Planning Essential
If you're considering planning a road trip from Buffalo, NY, to Myrtle Beach, SC, you will want to plan ahead to ensure you get the most value for your money. The cost of gas is constantly changing, and different routes may require different amounts of fuel. In this article, we'll go over the different possible routes, the costs and distances involved, and recommend which path we think offers the best value.
Possible Routes
When driving from Buffalo, NY, to Myrtle Beach, SC, there are a few different paths you could take. The most direct of them is a roughly nine-hour drive through Pennsylvania and Maryland before heading south through Virginia and North Carolina. Other paths, like going through West Virginia via I-79 and I-77, will save time, but also cost more in gas.
Here are the four different possible routes and their respective distances:
- Via I-79 and I-77: This path involves traveling south on I-79 before turning south on I-77 in Charleston. The trip will take over ten hours and covers approximately 743 miles.
- Via I-95: This path is the most direct and covers roughly 890 miles. It goes through Maryland and Virginia before finally arriving in South Carolina.
- Via I-81 and I-77: This path involves traveling south on I-81 before turning south on I-77 in Wytheville. The trip covers approximately 845 miles and will take more than eleven hours.
- Via I-90 and I-79: The westernmost route will take you through Pennsylvania before taking I-79 southbound. The journey covers over 925 miles and will take over fourteen hours.
Route Comparison
In order to determine which route offers the best balance between distance covered and gas spent, we need to consider the cost of gas and the distance covered on each route. For simplicity and consistency, we'll use the average prices of gas in the states for these calculations.
For any route you choose, you'll need to budget around $100 for fuel alone, assuming your vehicle gets around 30 miles per gallon and gas averages around $3.00 per gallon.
| Route | Distance | Estimated Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|
| I-79 & I-77 | 743 mi | $74.30 |
| I-95 | 890 mi | $88.90 |
| I-81 & I-77 | 845 mi | $84.50 |
| I-90 & I-79 | 925 mi | $92.50 |
While the difference in cost across the four paths may not seem substantial, it's worth noting that the quickest path may not always be the most economical on the wallet. In terms of overall distance covered, the I-79 and I-77 path is the shortest, but it will likely result in higher gas costs, making it the most expensive path.
Our Recommended Route
Ultimately, our recommended route for a trip from Buffalo, NY to Myrtle Beach, SC would be to take I-81 before turning south on I-77. This route offers a balance of distance and fuel. While it's not the shortest path, it has a lower fuel cost, making it the most economical route. Additionally, it will likely save you time when compared with the I-90 path, since it's roughly three hours shorter.
Conclusion
Whether you choose to take a more direct route or one that offers a great balance of distance and fuel, there are many things to consider when planning a road trip. Be sure to factor in average gas prices, your car's fuel economy, and the distance you'll need to cover before hitting the road. By planning ahead, you'll be able to get the most out of your trip and be able to stick to your budget while still having a great time. Regardless of the path you choose, expect to spend between $100-$120 on gas and be sure to consider alternate routes based on factors like construction or traffic conditions.