Road Trip Down to Murphy, NC: What It Will Cost You in Gas

Are you ready for an adventure that involves taking a road trip to the western part of North Carolina? The town of Murphy is a gorgeous escape in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains that you're sure to love. Before you head out on this journey, though, it's a good idea to check the cost of driving from Cary, NC, to Murphy, NC. Here are a few options you'll want to explore:

Option 1: Through I-40W and US-74W

Route distance: 300 miles Estimated time: 5 hours 30 minutes

The first option is the most direct. Hop on I-40W and drive through Asheville before switching over to US-74W, which you'll take all the way to Murphy. This route will take around 5 and a half hours, but you'll get to avoid tolls entirely. To calculate your gas cost, you'll need to consider gas prices. Currently, gas prices in North Carolina average $2.21 per gallon. If your car gets 30 miles per gallon, you'll need 10 gallons of gas to complete this route. That gives you a total cost of $22.10.

Option 2: Through I-85S and US-23S

Route distance: 345 miles Estimated time: 6 hours 10 minutes

The second option is a bit longer but avoids the mountains entirely. Take I-85S to Greenville, South Carolina, then switch to US-23S all the way to Murphy. There is a toll on this route, the "Southern Connector," which costs around $1.60. Additionally, this trip takes about 6 hours and 10 minutes in total. With gas prices at $2.21 per gallon and your car's 30 miles per gallon fuel economy, you'll need approximately 12 gallons of gas, bringing your total cost to $26.52.

Option 3: Through I-40W and US-441S

Route distance: 309 miles Estimated time: 6 hours

The third option is to head west on I-40 before switching to US-441S, which takes you straight into Murphy. This route takes about 6 hours to complete and skips the toll. To fill your tank with gas for this trip, you'll need approximately 10.3 gallons, which will cost you $22.76 based on our current gas prices.

So there you have it! Depending on which route you choose to drive, your gas cost may vary slightly. However, it's good to know some of the options to consider when traveling from Cary to Murphy, NC. It's a beautiful drive with plenty to see along the way. So keep these numbers in mind and enjoy the journey!