The Cost of a Trip: Cascades, Virginia to Annapolis, Maryland
Are you planning a road trip from Cascades, Virginia to Annapolis, Maryland? If so, there are several routes to take, all with different costs and distances. To help you plan your journey, we'll break down the cost of each possible route based on current gas prices.
Route 1: US-50 E
The first and most straightforward route from Cascades to Annapolis takes you along US-50 E. This route is the shortest, with a distance of approximately 102 miles. However, it is also one of the more expensive routes, as you will be traveling on toll roads for a good portion of the trip.
Tolls:
- Dulles Toll Road: $3.25
- Fairfax Connector Road: $0.75
- Hatem Bridge: $8.00
Gas:
Assuming your car gets 30 miles per gallon and gas costs $2.85 per gallon, you'll need approximately 3.4 gallons of gas for the trip. Therefore, the total cost of gas will be around $9.70.
Total Cost:
In total, the cost of driving from Cascades to Annapolis via US-50 E will be roughly $21.70.
Route 2: I-66 E and I-495 E
Another possible route from Cascades to Annapolis is to take I-66 E and I-495 E. This route is slightly longer than the first option, with a distance of approximately 108 miles. However, it does not involve toll roads and may be a more scenic drive.
Tolls:
None
Gas:
Assuming your car gets 30 miles per gallon and gas costs $2.85 per gallon, you'll need approximately 3.6 gallons of gas for the trip. Therefore, the total cost of gas will be around $10.30.
Total Cost:
In total, the cost of driving from Cascades to Annapolis via I-66 E and I-495 E will be around $10.30.
Route 3: I-66 E, I-495 E, and MD-50 E
The third possible route to take when traveling from Cascades to Annapolis is to combine routes 1 and 2, taking I-66 E and I-495 E but switching to MD-50 E towards Annapolis. This route has a distance of approximately 117 miles and involves a toll road.
Tolls:
- Dulles Toll Road: $3.25
- Fairfax Connector Road: $0.75
Gas:
Assuming your car gets 30 miles per gallon and gas costs $2.85 per gallon, you'll need approximately 4 gallons of gas for the trip. Therefore, the total cost of gas will be around $11.40.
Total Cost:
In total, the cost of driving from Cascades to Annapolis via I-66 E, I-495 E, and MD-50 E will be around $15.40.
Best Route
After analyzing the three possible routes, the best option for most travelers is I-66 E and I-495 E. This route is the cheapest, with no toll roads to worry about, and offers a scenic drive. While it is slightly longer than some of the other options, the difference in distance is negligible and will not significantly impact your travel time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you're planning a road trip from Cascades, Virginia to Annapolis, Maryland, the most cost-effective route is to take I-66 E and I-495 E. With gas prices and tolls factored in, the total cost of the trip will be around $10.30. Depending on traffic and driving conditions, the drive should take approximately two hours. Safe travels!