The Cost of a Trip Between Charles Town, West Virginia and Alexandria, Virginia: A Guide to Gas Prices and Routes
Are you planning a trip between Charles Town, West Virginia and Alexandria, Virginia? One of the important factors to consider when planning your trip is the cost. Gas prices vary by location and season so it's important to consider the distance of your journey and the different routes available. In this guide, we'll break down the different possible routes and provide valuable information about the cost and distance of each one to help you budget accordingly.
The Route Options
Charles Town and Alexandria are located about 55 miles apart from each other. If you're driving the entire distance, you'll be navigating through several possible routes. The most common ones are:
Route 1 - U.S. Route 340 and VA-7 East
The first route you can consider when driving from Charles Town to Alexandria is via US-340 and VA-7 East. This route has a total distance of approximately 64 miles. The travel time can take you at least an hour, but it can take longer depending on traffic.
Route 2 - WV-51 and VA-7 East
The second route you can consider taking from Charles Town to Alexandria is via WV-51 and VA-7 East. This route has a distance of approximately 67 miles. Travel time is also at least an hour, but it can take longer depending on traffic.
Route 3 - VA-9 and VA-7 East
The third route you can consider is via VA-9 and VA-7 East. This route has a total distance of approximately 70 miles. Travel time can take around 1 hour and 20 minutes, but it can take longer depending on traffic.
Route 4 - U.S. Route 522 and VA-7 East
The fourth option is via US-522 and VA-7 East. This route has a distance of approximately 73 miles. The travel time can take around 1 hour and 30 minutes at least but can take longer depending on traffic.
Route 5 - WV-9 and I-81 South
Finally, the last route to consider is via WV-9 and I-81 South. This route has a total distance of approximately 84 miles. Travel can take around 1 hour and 40 minutes, but it can take longer depending on traffic.
The Gas Prices
When thinking about the cost of your trip, you'll need to consider the average gas prices to help you estimate your fuel expenses. According to gasbuddy.com, as of July 2021, the average gas prices in West Virginia and Virginia are as follows:
- West Virginia: $3.05/gallon
- Virginia: $2.84/gallon
Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate, so it's best to check current gas prices before you head out.
The Cost of Each Route
To help you budget for your trip, let's break down the cost of each route based on the average prices mentioned above.
Route 1 - U.S. Route 340 and VA-7 East
If you choose to take Route 1, the total distance is approximately 64 miles. Using the average gas prices in Virginia and West Virginia mentioned earlier ($2.84/gallon and $3.05/gallon, respectively), you'll need to budget around $8.28 to $8.78 in gas expenses for a one-way trip.
Route 2 - WV-51 and VA-7 East
If you choose to take Route 2, the distance is approximately 67 miles. Based on the average gas prices, you'll need to budget around $8.74 to $9.28 in gas expenses for a one-way trip.
Route 3 - VA-9 and VA-7 East
If you choose to take Route 3, the distance is approximately 70 miles. Based on the average gas prices, you'll need to budget around $9.06 to $9.62 in gas expenses for a one-way trip.
Route 4 - U.S. Route 522 and VA-7 East
If you choose to take Route 4, the total distance is approximately 73 miles. Based on the average gas prices, you'll need to budget around $9.38 to $9.94 in gas expenses for a one-way trip.
Route 5 - WV-9 and I-81 South
If you choose to take Route 5, the total distance is approximately 84 miles. Based on the average gas prices, you'll need to budget around $10.34 to $10.98 in gas expenses for a one-way trip.
Conclusion
When it comes to the cost of your trip between Charles Town and Alexandria, there are several factors to consider. Gas prices play a significant role in your trip costs, and different routes can provide different gas fees. Considering the current gas prices ($2.84/gallon in Virginia and $3.05/gallon in West Virginia), the best route for your trip between Charles Town and Alexandria is via Route 1 (US-340 and VA-7 East). This route provides the shortest distance at 64 miles. Total gas spending is around $8.28 to $8.78 for a one-way trip.
Overall, the trip can take you at least one hour and longer depending on the traffic. It helps to plan ahead your travel and anticipated traffic to maximize your trip budget and less the discomfort caused by traffic congestion. Happy journey!