The Cost of a Trip between Charleston, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina Based on Current Gas Prices

If you plan on taking a trip between Charleston, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina, this article will guide you on the route options and their corresponding cost based on current gas prices.

Route Options

There are four main routes that you can take when traveling from Charleston to Wilmington:

Route 1: I-26 and I-40

The first route starts by taking I-26 West, then switching to I-40 East. This is the most direct route, with a distance of approximately 220 miles.

Route 2: US-17 and US-74

The second route involves taking US-17 North to US-74 West. This route is a bit longer, with a distance of approximately 240 miles.

Route 3: SC-41 and US-17

The third route involves taking SC-41 North to US-17 North. This route is slightly longer than Route 1, with a distance of approximately 225 miles.

Route 4: SC-9 and US-17

The fourth route involves taking SC-9 North to US-17 North. This route is the longest, with a distance of approximately 260 miles.

Cost of Each Route

The cost of each route depends on several factors, including the fuel efficiency of your car, current gas prices, and tolls. For the purpose of this article, we will assume a fuel efficiency of 27 miles per gallon and a current gas price of $2.50 per gallon.

Route 1: I-26 and I-40

Assuming a distance of 220 miles and fuel efficiency of 27 miles per gallon, you would use approximately 8.15 gallons of gas. At $2.50 per gallon, the cost of gas for this route would be approximately $20.38. There are no tolls on this route.

Route 2: US-17 and US-74

Assuming a distance of 240 miles and fuel efficiency of 27 miles per gallon, you would use approximately 8.89 gallons of gas. At $2.50 per gallon, the cost of gas for this route would be approximately $22.23. There are no tolls on this route.

Route 3: SC-41 and US-17

Assuming a distance of 225 miles and fuel efficiency of 27 miles per gallon, you would use approximately 8.33 gallons of gas. At $2.50 per gallon, the cost of gas for this route would be approximately $20.83. There are no tolls on this route.

Route 4: SC-9 and US-17

Assuming a distance of 260 miles and fuel efficiency of 27 miles per gallon, you would use approximately 9.63 gallons of gas. At $2.50 per gallon, the cost of gas for this route would be approximately $24.08. There are no tolls on this route.

Conclusion

Based on the cost and distance of each route, Route 1 is the most cost-efficient option. However, it is always a good idea to consider other factors such as traffic and road conditions when choosing a route.

In conclusion, traveling from Charleston, South Carolina, to Wilmington, North Carolina, using Route 1 would cost approximately $20.38 based on current gas prices. The trip would take approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, assuming no traffic or rest stops.