The Cost of a Trip between Charleston, South Carolina and Bedford, Indiana in 2021
If you're planning a road trip between Charleston, South Carolina, and Bedford, Indiana, it's important to budget for gas, food, and lodging expenses. The cost of your trip will largely depend on your chosen route, the type of car you're driving, current gas prices, and how often you stop to eat and sleep. In this article, we'll explore the different possible routes, their distances, and the approximate cost of gas for each leg of the journey based on current gas prices.
Possible Routes
There are several possible routes to travel between Charleston, South Carolina, and Bedford, Indiana. The best route for you will depend on your preferences, driving experience, and the amount of time you have available for your trip.
Route 1: The I-77 and I-64 Route
This route measures 669 miles and should take approximately 10 hours and 42 minutes to drive. It involves taking I-77 N and I-64 W.
Route 2: The I-26 and I-40 Route
This is a slightly longer route, measuring 728 miles in distance, but could take slightly less time due to the use of highways with higher speed limits. It should take approximately 11 hours and 5 minutes to drive. This route involves taking I-26 W, I-40 W, and I-65 N.
Route 3: The I-81 and I-64 Route
The longest of the three routes, this route measures 854 miles and will take approximately 13 hours and 35 minutes to drive. It involves taking I-81 N and I-64 W.
Gas Prices
According to GasBuddy, the current average price of regular gas in South Carolina is $2.78 per gallon, while in Indiana, it's $3.04 per gallon. It's important to note that gas prices can fluctuate daily, so it's advisable to use this as a rough estimate.
Cost Estimates
To estimate the cost of your trip, you'll need to determine how many miles you'll be driving and how many gallons of gas your vehicle consumes per mile. Use the following table as a guide to calculate the approximate cost of your trip.
| Route | Distance (miles) | Avg. Gas Mileage (mpg) | Estimated Gallons Required | Estimated Gas Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route 1 | 669 | 25 | 26.76 | $74.42 |
| Route 2 | 728 | 25 | 29.12 | $84.00 |
| Route 3 | 854 | 25 | 34.16 | $103.93 |
Based on this table, it's clear that Route 3 is the most expensive, while Route 1 is the cheapest. Combining this with the estimated time for each leg of the journey, you might be able to decide which one is the best one for you.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the cost of a road trip between Charleston, South Carolina, and Bedford, Indiana, will vary depending on your chosen route, the type of car you drive, and your driving habits.
Route 1 is a slightly shorter and cheaper route than Route 2; however, it does involve some winding roads in the mountains. On the other hand, Route 2 is a bit longer but smoother to drive. Route 3 is the longest and most expensive option, but it could be the most scenic and traversing more mountains.
Ultimately, your decision about which route to take should be based on your own personal preferences, time availability, and budget. With careful planning, you can ensure that your trip is both safe and economical.