Driving Cost from Canton, Ohio to Norfolk, Virginia

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The Cost of a Road Trip from Canton, Ohio to Norfolk, Virginia

Are you planning a road trip from Canton, Ohio to Norfolk, Virginia? If so, you may be wondering about the cost of the trip, including gas, tolls, and other expenses. In this article, we will explore the different routes you could take and the long-term costs associated with each one.

Route Options

There are three main routes you can take when driving from Canton to Norfolk:

  1. Via Interstate 77 South and Interstate 64 East: This is the most direct route, spanning 534 miles. You will pass through cities like Charleston, West Virginia and Beckley, West Virginia.
  2. Via US-250 South and Interstate 64 East: This route is slightly longer at 560 miles, but it takes you through scenic areas like Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
  3. Via US-30 East and US-64 South: This route is the longest at 593 miles, but it offers more opportunities to stop at cities like Roanoke, Virginia and Greensboro, North Carolina.

Gas Prices

Before we can estimate the total cost of the trip, we need to take a look at current gas prices. According to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Ohio as of July 2021 is $3.10, while in Virginia, the average is $2.92. Keep in mind that gas prices can vary depending on the location and time of year.

Route Costs

Using the average gas prices mentioned above, let's estimate the cost of the trip based on each route option:

Route 1: Via Interstate 77 South and Interstate 64 East

The total distance for this route is 534 miles.

  • For a car that gets 25 miles per gallon:

    • You will need 21.36 gallons of gas for the trip.
    • The total cost for gas will be approximately $66.18.

  • For a car that gets 30 miles per gallon:

    • You will need 17.8 gallons of gas for the trip.
    • The total cost for gas will be approximately $55.18.

  • For a car that gets 35 miles per gallon:

    • You will need 15.26 gallons of gas for the trip.
    • The total cost for gas will be approximately $47.19.

Add toll costs to the gas prices to get a more accurate estimate. Toll rates vary, depending on the time of day and the size of the vehicle. Here are the toll rates for each of the state turnpikes or toll roads:

  • Ohio Turnpike: $14.25
  • West Virginia Turnpike: $4.00
  • Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Toll Roads: $9.75

So, including tolls, the total cost of the trip using Route 1 would be approximately $83.18 (25 MPG), $72.18 (30 MPG), or $64.19 (35 MPG).

Route 2: Via US-250 South and Interstate 64 East

The total distance for this route is 560 miles.

  • For a car that gets 25 miles per gallon:

    • You will need 22.4 gallons of gas for the trip.
    • The total cost for gas will be approximately $69.44.

  • For a car that gets 30 miles per gallon:

    • You will need 18.67 gallons of gas for the trip.
    • The total cost for gas will be approximately $57.97.

  • For a car that gets 35 miles per gallon:

    • You will need 16 gallons of gas for the trip.
    • The total cost for gas will be approximately $49.44.

Add toll costs to the gas prices to get a more accurate estimate. Toll rates vary, depending on the time of day and the size of the vehicle. Here are the toll rates for each of the state turnpikes or toll roads:

  • West Virginia Turnpike: $4.00
  • Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Toll Roads: $9.75

So, including tolls, the total cost of the trip using Route 2 would be approximately $83.19 (25 MPG), $67.72 (30 MPG), or $59.19 (35 MPG).

Route 3: Via US-30 East and US-64 South

The total distance for this route is 593 miles.

  • For a car that gets 25 miles per gallon:

    • You will need 23.72 gallons of gas for the trip.
    • The total cost for gas will be approximately $73.47.

  • For a car that gets 30 miles per gallon:

    • You will need 19.76 gallons of gas for the trip.
    • The total cost for gas will be approximately $61.26.

  • For a car that gets 35 miles per gallon:

    • You will need 16.94 gallons of gas for the trip.
    • The total cost for gas will be approximately $52.40.

Add toll costs to the gas prices to get a more accurate estimate. Toll rates vary, depending on the time of day and the size of the vehicle. Here are the toll rates for each of the state turnpikes or toll roads:

  • Pennsylvania Turnpike: $42.15
  • Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Toll Roads: $9.75

So, including tolls, the total cost of the trip using Route 3 would be approximately $115.62 (25 MPG), $103.41 (30 MPG), or $95.15 (35 MPG).

Based on the estimated costs, Route 1 (via Interstate 77 South and Interstate 64 East) is the recommended route as it is the shortest and the cheapest. It also has the lowest toll costs when compared to the other two routes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the estimated cost of a road trip from Canton, Ohio to Norfolk, Virginia would depend on the route you choose to take. Based on current gas prices and estimated toll costs, the cost for Route 1 would be between $63.18 and $85.18 depending on your vehicle's gas mileage. The trip can be completed in approximately 8 and a half hours depending on traffic and stops. Remember to always take breaks and enjoy the scenic views during your trip!