The Cost of a Road Trip from Carlisle, Pennsylvania to Baltimore, Maryland: Navigating Current Gas Prices

Are you planning a road trip from Carlisle, Pennsylvania to Baltimore, Maryland? If so, you might be wondering what it's going to cost you in gas. With gas prices constantly fluctuating, it can be hard to know how much you'll need to spend to get from point A to point B. In this article, we'll take a look at the different possible routes and highlight the cost and distance of each one to help you plan the most affordable route.

The Routes

There are a few different ways to get from Carlisle to Baltimore, and depending on the route you choose, the cost of gas can vary significantly. Let's take a look at the most common options.

Route 1: I-83 S and I-695 E

This route takes you straight through the heart of Baltimore, which might be ideal if your destination is in the city or if you want to make a stop there. However, it's also the longest route at 97 miles, which means you'll be spending more on gas.

Based on current gas prices in Pennsylvania and Maryland (as of September 2021), it will cost you around $14.45 each way to make this trip. So total round-trip gas costs would be around $28.90.

Route 2: I-83 S and I-695 W

This route also takes you through Baltimore, but instead of going straight through the city, you'll head west on I-695 until you reach your destination. This route is slightly shorter at 93 miles and will therefore cost less in gas than Route 1.

Based on current gas prices, it will cost you around $13.94 each way to make this trip. So total round-trip gas costs would be around $27.89.

Route 3: I-70 W and I-695 N

If you prefer to avoid Baltimore altogether, this might be the best route for you. It takes you west on I-70 until you reach Frederick, Maryland, and then south on I-270 until you reach I-695, which will take you around the city and towards your destination. This route is the shortest at 87 miles, which means you'll save more on gas.

Based on current gas prices, it will cost you around $13.04 each way to make this trip. So total round-trip gas costs would be around $26.08.

The Recommendation

Based on the gas cost and distances of each route, the most affordable option is Route 3, taking I-70 and I-695 N. Not only is it the shortest route, but it's also the cheapest, which means you'll save money on gas that you can put towards other parts of your trip.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you're on a budget and planning a road trip from Carlisle, Pennsylvania to Baltimore, Maryland, it's important to consider the different route options and how they will impact your gas costs. By taking the most affordable route, you can save money that you can use towards other aspects of your trip. With Route 3 being the most cost-effective at 87 miles and $26.08 in gas costs, it's the best option for anyone looking to make the journey between the two cities. All in all, expect the trip to take around 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic.