The Cost of a Trip Between Charleston and Tega Cay: A Guide Based on Current Gas Prices

Are you planning a trip between Charleston and Tega Cay in South Carolina? Knowing the cost of the trip is a big factor in planning your budget. Gas prices fluctuate, so it can be hard to predict the exact cost of a trip, but we've got you covered. In this article, we'll break down the different routes you can take between Charleston and Tega Cay and the cost of each one. By the end, you'll have a better idea of which route is the best for your budget.

Route 1: I-26 and I-77

The first route we'll discuss is one that many travelers take, which involves taking I-26 and I-77. This route covers a distance of approximately 183 miles and takes about three hours and 20 minutes to drive without any stops.

When it comes to gas prices, the average price per gallon in South Carolina as of August 2021 was $2.88. If you're driving a car that gets 20 miles per gallon, you'll need at least nine gallons of gas to complete this trip. That means you'll need to spend $25.92 on gas for one way, or $51.84 for a round trip.

Route 2: I-26, I-385, and I-77

The second route option to consider is taking I-26, I-385, and I-77. This route covers a distance of approximately 197 miles and takes about three hours and 40 minutes to drive without any stops.

Using the same calculation as before and with an average gas price of $2.88 per gallon, driving a car that gets 20 miles per gallon would require roughly ten gallons of gas, which would cost you $28.80 for one way, or $57.60 for a round trip.

Route 3: I-26, I-85, and I-77

The third route option to consider is taking I-26, I-85, and I-77. This route covers a distance of approximately 214 miles and takes about four hours and 10 minutes to drive without any stops.

As with the previous routes, and with an average gas price of $2.88 per gallon, driving a car that gets 20 miles per gallon would require roughly 10.5 gallons of gas, which would cost you $30.24 for one way, or $60.48 for a round trip.

Route 4: US-17, SC-61, I-26, I-77

The fourth route option to consider is taking US-17, SC-61, I-26, and I-77. This route covers a distance of approximately 188 miles and takes about three hours and 40 minutes to drive without any stops.

Assuming gas prices are at $2.88 per gallon and you're driving a car that gets 20 miles per gallon, you would need roughly 9.5 gallons of gas to complete one way of this trip, costing you $27.36 for one way, or $54.72 for a round trip.

Conclusion

After considering each of these routes and their associated costs, we recommend taking Route 1 which involves taking I-26 and I-77. It is the most direct and shortest route, taking approximately three hours and 20 minutes to drive without any stops. While the cost of gas for each of the routes is within $5 of each other, the distance and time difference between Route 1 and the other routes make it the ideal option.

In conclusion, knowing the cost of a trip between Charleston and Tega Cay can be challenging due to fluctuating gas prices. Using these four routes as a guide, you can get a sense of how much the trip will cost, which will help you budget for your journey. Route 1 remains the best option due to its directness, distance, and time efficiency. Happy travels!