The Cost of a Trip between Chapel Hill and North Topsail Beach based on Current Gas Prices

If you're planning a trip from Chapel Hill to North Topsail Beach, you might be wondering how much it will cost you in gas. With current gas prices, the cost of the trip depends on a few different factors, including the distance to your destination, the type of vehicle you're driving, and the route you take.

In this article, we'll break down the cost of different routes from Chapel Hill to North Topsail Beach, highlighting the distance and cost of each one. We'll also recommend the best route to take and provide a conclusion with how long the trip might take.

Route 1: Via I-40 East and US-17 North

The most direct route from Chapel Hill to North Topsail Beach is via I-40 East and US-17 North. This route takes you along the coast, through Wilmington, and north to North Topsail Beach. The distance of this route is approximately 144 miles.

Based on current gas prices in North Carolina ($2.64 per gallon), the cost of gas for this route in a car that gets 25 miles per gallon (mpg) would be approximately $27.00 round trip.

Route 2: Via NC-540 and US-17 North

Another route option is to take NC-540 and US-17 North. This route takes you through Raleigh and then north to Wilmington before reaching North Topsail Beach. The distance of this route is approximately 172 miles.

Based on current gas prices, the cost of gas for this route in a car that gets 25 mpg would be approximately $32.64 round trip.

Route 3: Via I-40 East and NC-53 East

A third route option is to take I-40 East and then NC-53 East. This route takes you through Jacksonville, NC before reaching North Topsail Beach. The distance of this route is approximately 173 miles.

Based on current gas prices, the cost of gas for this route in a car that gets 25 mpg would be approximately $32.88 round trip.

Recommendation

Based on distance and cost, the most efficient and direct route remains Route 1, which is the most popular route. The journey time is around 2 hours and 45 minutes with the highest chance of response in the event of vehicle failure or emergency along the roadway.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you're planning a trip from Chapel Hill to North Topsail Beach, the cost of gas will vary depending on the distance and route you take. While there are a few different routes to choose from, Route 1 (via I-40 East and US-17 North), remains the most direct and cost-effective route. Overall, the journey might take you around 2 hours and 45 minutes with enough budget to cater to the cost of gas and other travel-related expenses.