Budgeting for a Road Trip: How Much It Costs to Travel from Butner, North Carolina to Richmond, Virginia

Traveling from Butner, North Carolina to Richmond, Virginia can take different routes, and the cost of a trip between these destinations varies depending on the mode of transportation, distance, and gas prices. In this article, we're going to calculate the estimated cost of a road trip between Butner and Richmond based on current gas prices and provide useful information to help you choose the best route.

Possible Routes and Distance

Before we delve into the cost of a trip, let's examine the possible routes you can take and the distance of each one.

US-1 N and I-85 N

One possible route between Butner and Richmond is taking US-1 N and I-85 N. The distance is approximately 127 miles, and the estimated travel time is around 2 hours. You will pass through Durham and Henderson.

US-501 N and I-85 N

Another possible route is taking US-501 N and I-85 N. With this route, you will travel approximately 130 miles, and it may take you around 2 hours and 10 minutes to get to Richmond. You will pass through Roxboro and South Boston.

I-85 N

If you prefer a more straightforward route, you can take the I-85 N. You will travel approximately 144 miles, and it may take you approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes to get to Richmond. You will pass through Durham and Henderson.

Gas Prices

According to GasBuddy, the current average gas price in North Carolina is $2.71 per gallon, while in Virginia, the average gas price is $2.83 per gallon. To make accurate predictions of how much it will cost you for a trip, we will calculate the cost of gas based on the US Department of Energy's estimate. They state that a typical car can travel around 25 miles per gallon.

Cost of a Road Trip

To calculate the estimated cost of a trip, we will use the gas prices mentioned above and how far each route is by multiplying the number of miles by the gas price per gallon and dividing the result by the number of miles per gallon.

US-1 N and I-85 N

For the US-1 N and I-85 route, we have a total distance of 127 miles. Dividing that by the average miles per gallon, 25, we get 5.08 gallons. Multiplying that by the gas price per gallon, $2.71, we get $13.81.

US-501 N and I-85 N

For the US-501 N and I-85 route, we have a total distance of 130 miles. Dividing that by the average miles per gallon, 25, we get 5.2 gallons. Multiplying that by the gas price per gallon, $2.71, we get $14.62.

I-85 N

For the I-85 N route, we have a total distance of 144 miles. Dividing that by the average miles per gallon, 25, we get 5.76 gallons. Multiplying that by the gas price per gallon, $2.71, we get $15.61.

Recommended Route

Based on the distance and the estimated cost of each route, the route that appears to be the cheapest is US-1 N and I-85 N. The difference in price is not significant, but it is good to note that taking US-1 N can save you a few dollars. Aside from being cheaper, it is the shortest route, and it will take you about 2 hours to get to Richmond.

Conclusion

Traveling from Butner, North Carolina, to Richmond, Virginia, can be affordable if you make the right budgeting decisions. Gas prices vary from time to time, but by using the information provided in this article, you can determine how much you should budget for your trip. The US-1 N and I-85 N route is affordable, short, and direct, and it is recommended for travelers who want to save money on gas. Safe travels!