The Cost of a Trip Between Catonsville, Maryland and Arlington, Virginia
If you're planning a trip from Catonsville, Maryland to Arlington, Virginia, there are several routes you can take. You'll want to consider the distance, traffic, tolls, and gas prices when deciding which route to take. In this article, we'll explore the different routes and their associated costs based on current gas prices.
Route Options
Route 1: I-95
One of the most direct routes from Catonsville to Arlington is taking I-95 South. This route is just over 60 miles and takes about an hour and 15 minutes without traffic. The downside to taking I-95 is that it can be congested during peak travel times, resulting in longer travel times.
Route 2: I-270 and I-495
Another option is taking I-270 and I-495 around Washington D.C. This route is approximately 68 miles and takes about an hour and a half without traffic. While this adds a little bit of distance to the trip, it can help avoid traffic congestion. However, this route may result in toll fees and higher gas costs due to the longer distance.
Route 3: I-70 and I-495
A less common route is taking I-70 west to I-495 and going around the north side of D.C. This route is about 80 miles and takes about an hour and a half without traffic. This route may also result in toll fees and higher gas costs due to the longer distance.
Route 4: I-95 and I-395
Another direct route is taking I-95 South and switching to I-395 South once in Virginia. This is a distance of about 67 miles and takes about an hour and a half without traffic. This route also takes you close to D.C. and can be congested during peak travel times.
Route 5: Local Roads
If you're looking to avoid major highways, you can also take local roads. This route is approximately 85 miles and takes about two hours without traffic. While this route may result in lower gas costs due to the slower speeds, it can also result in longer travel times.
Cost Analysis
When deciding which route to take, it's important to consider the cost of gas and toll fees. Currently, gas prices in Maryland and Virginia are about $2.70 per gallon. Here is a breakdown of the estimated cost for each route:
| Route | Miles | Gas Cost | Toll Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-95 | 60 | $10.35 | $0 |
| I-270 and I-495 | 68 | $11.70 | $7 |
| I-70 and I-495 | 80 | $13.80 | $8 |
| I-95 and I-395 | 67 | $11.53 | $0 |
| Local Roads | 85 | $14.63 | $0 |
Overall, taking the local roads may result in the lowest gas cost, but it also results in a longer travel time. The I-270 and I-495 route has toll fees but is slightly shorter than the I-70 and I-495 route. The direct I-95 and I-395 routes have no toll fees but can be congested during peak travel times.
Recommended Route
Based on the cost analysis and consideration of traffic, we recommend taking the I-95 route. While it may be congested during peak travel times, it is the shortest distance with no toll fees. This results in a reasonable gas cost of $10.35 for the trip.
Conclusion
When planning a trip from Catonsville, Maryland to Arlington, Virginia, there are several route options to consider. Each route has its own costs associated with gas and toll fees. We recommend taking the I-95 route, which is the shortest distance with no toll fees. This results in an estimated gas cost of $10.35 for the trip, with a travel time of about an hour and 15 minutes without traffic.