Driving Cost from Charleston, South Carolina to Booneville, Mississippi

A picture depicting a gas pump

The Cost of a Trip from Charleston to Booneville: Navigating the Gas Prices

One of the most common questions when planning a trip is: how much will it cost? When traveling by car, the biggest expense is usually the gas. Therefore, it is essential to choose the best route to optimize mileage and minimize fuel expenses. In this article, we will explore the different options for a trip between Charleston, South Carolina, and Booneville, Mississippi, and provide a breakdown of the cost and distance of each one.

Route Options

There are three main route options to go from Charleston to Booneville:

  1. Interstate 20 (I-20) and Interstate 22 (I-22) route: This is the fastest route between the two cities, with a total distance of 641 miles. The route starts in Charleston, follows I-20 all the way to Birmingham, Alabama, and then continues on I-22 until reaching Booneville.
  2. Interstate 85 (I-85) and Highway 78 route: This route covers a total distance of 667 miles and offers some beautiful scenery as travelers pass through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The route starts in Charleston, follows I-85 through Georgia, and then takes Highway 78 until reaching Booneville.
  3. The Coastal Route: this route covers 817 miles and takes you through the southeastern states of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. The route is the longest of the three options and may take significantly longer due to frequent stops and lower speed limits on some secondary roads.

Cost and Distance Comparison

To determine the cheapest option, we will assume gas consumption rates of 28 miles per gallon and average gas prices at the time of writing of $2.40 per gallon.

1. Interstate 20 (I-20) and Interstate 22 (I-22) route

As mentioned earlier, this route covers a distance of 641 miles. At a gas consumption rate of 28 miles per gallon, the trip requires approximately 23 gallons of gas to complete. Therefore, the total gas expense for the trip would be $55.20.

2. Interstate 85 (I-85) and Highway 78 Route

This route covers a distance of 667 miles. At a consumption rate of 28 miles per gallon, the trip requires around 24 gallons of gas, resulting in a total fuel expense of $57.60.

3. The Coastal Route

The longest of the three options, this route covers approximately 817 miles. At our assumed mileage rate, the trip requires around 29 gallons of gas, bringing total fuel expenses to $69.60.

The Best Route

In terms of gas expense, the I-20 and I-22 route is the cheapest, while the coastal route is significantly more expensive. However, another factor to consider is time. The I-20 and I-22 option is the fastest, while the coastal route is the slowest.

Ultimately, the decision of which route to take depends on personal preferences. Those looking for a scenic drive or the opportunity to visit different cities along the way may prefer the coastal route despite the cost, while those in a hurry may opt for the I-20 and I-22 route.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the total gas expense for a trip from Charleston to Booneville ranges between $55.20 and $69.60, depending on the route chosen. The fastest and cheapest route is via I-20 and I-22, while the most scenic route is via the coastal route. Travelers should consider both distance and time when making their decision, as well as personal preferences. Regardless of the route chosen, the trip is likely to take around 10-12 hours and require several gas stops along the way. Happy travels!