The Cost of a Trip Between Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Fort Smith, Arkansas Based on Current Gas Prices

If you are planning a trip between Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Fort Smith, Arkansas, it is important to get a good understanding of the costs involved. Gas prices fluctuate based on a variety of factors, but as of August 2021, the average gas price in the United States is around $3.13 per gallon. In this article, we will explore the different possible routes for a trip between Chapel Hill and Fort Smith and highlight the cost and distance of each one.

Possible Routes

There are a few different routes you could take when traveling from Chapel Hill to Fort Smith. Let's take a look at some of the most common options:

Route 1: I-40 W

This route takes you straight across the country on Interstate 40 West. You would start by taking 1-40 W from Chapel Hill and following it all the way to Fort Smith. This is by far the most direct route, covering 966 miles and taking about 15 hours to drive straight through.

Route 2: I-85 S and I-20 W

This route takes you down through South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama before getting on I-40 W in Mississippi. To take this route, you would start on I-85 S in Chapel Hill and follow it all the way through Atlanta. From there, you would take I-20 W to Birmingham, then switch to I-59 S to get to Mississippi. Once you reach Mississippi, you would switch back to I-20 W and follow it to I-40 W, which takes you the rest of the way to Fort Smith. This route is slightly longer, covering 1,003 miles, but it also takes about 15 hours to drive straight through.

Route 3: US-64 W

This route is the most scenic of the three options, taking you through the mountains of Tennessee and Arkansas. To take this route, you would start on US-64 W in Chapel Hill and follow it all the way to Fort Smith. This route covers 1,056 miles and takes about 17 hours to drive straight through.

Cost of Each Route

Now that we have explored the different possible routes, let's take a look at the cost of each one based on current gas prices. Keep in mind that the cost will vary depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency and the actual gas prices at the time of your trip. For this example, we will assume an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon.

Route 1: I-40 W

With a distance of 966 miles, the cost of gas for this route would be around $123.50 each way, or $247 round trip.

Route 2: I-85 S and I-20 W

With a distance of 1,003 miles, the cost of gas for this route would be around $128 each way, or $256 round trip.

Route 3: US-64 W

With a distance of 1,056 miles, the cost of gas for this route would be around $135 each way, or $270 round trip.

Recommended Route

Based on the cost and the distance of each route, our recommendation for the most cost-effective and time-efficient option is Route 1: I-40 W. While this route may not be the most scenic, it is the most direct and will ultimately save you money on gas.

Conclusion

Traveling from Chapel Hill to Fort Smith can be a long and somewhat expensive trip, but by understanding the different possible routes and their associated costs, you can make an informed decision about which option is best for you. Based on current gas prices, we recommend taking the I-40 W route, which offers the most direct path to your destination and the lowest cost in terms of gas. Safe travels!