The Cost of Driving from Cardiff to Shrewsbury Based on Current Gas Prices
Driving from Cardiff, Wales to Shrewsbury, England is a relatively short trip that can be done in less than two hours, depending on the route you take. However, the cost of gas and tolls will vary depending on which route you choose to take. Below, we've outlined a few different routes that you can take from Cardiff to Shrewsbury, with the estimated distance, time, and cost for each.
Route 1: The fastest route
The most direct route from Cardiff to Shrewsbury is also the fastest. Simply take the M4 eastbound out of Cardiff, then follow the M5 and M6 northbound until you reach Shrewsbury. This route is approximately 105 miles long, and it should take you around 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete.
The cost of gas for this trip will depend on the current gas prices, but as of May 2021, the average price per gallon in Wales was around £1.14, while in England it was around £1.21. Assuming your car gets around 30 miles per gallon, you can expect to pay around £12.50 for petrol for this trip.
There are no tolls along this route, so the only other cost to consider is parking in Shrewsbury, which can range between £5-15 per day.
Route 2: The scenic route
If you're not in a hurry, and you want to take a more scenic route from Cardiff to Shrewsbury, you can take the A470 all the way up to Betws-y-Coed, then follow the A5 eastbound until you reach Shrewsbury. This route is approximately 100 miles long, and it should take you around 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete.
Because this route goes through Snowdonia and the Welsh countryside, it is a more leisurely drive that will allow you to take in some beautiful scenery along the way. However, there are more twists and turns on this road, so it may not be as suitable for larger vehicles.
The cost of gas for this trip will be slightly higher than Route 1, due to the additional distance and time. You can expect to pay around £15 for petrol for this trip, assuming the same gas prices and mileage as Route 1.
There are no tolls along this route either, so the only other cost will be parking in Shrewsbury.
Route 3: The fastest route with Toll roads
If you want to shave off a little time from Route 1, you can also take the M4 eastbound out of Cardiff, then follow the M48 and M6 northbound until you reach the M54 eastbound towards Shrewsbury. This route is approximately 111 miles long, and it should take you around 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete.
However, there are toll roads along this route, including the Severn Bridge crossing, which costs £6.80 for cars. Additionally, the M6 toll road costs £6.70, so the total toll cost for this trip would be £13.50.
The cost of gas for this route will be the same as Route 1, assuming the same gas prices and mileage.
In conclusion, the cost of driving from Cardiff to Shrewsbury depends on the route you take. The fastest route will cost you around £12.50, the scenic route will cost around £15, and the fastest route with toll roads will cost around £26. Keep in mind that these figures are based on assumptions about gas prices and mileage, so your actual costs may vary. However, if you plan ahead and factor in these costs, you should be able to budget appropriately for your trip.