Driving Cost from Charleston, West Virginia to Durham, North Carolina

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The Cost of a Trip Between Charleston, West Virginia and Durham, North Carolina

If you're planning a trip between Charleston, WV and Durham, NC, one of the first things you'll likely want to know is how much it will cost. Several factors contribute to the cost of a trip, including the distance traveled, gas prices, tolls, and more. In this article, we'll break down the costs of several possible routes and recommend the best one for your journey.

Possible Routes

There are several possible routes for a trip between Charleston, WV and Durham, NC. The most direct route is to take Interstate 64 East to Interstate 77 South, then merge onto Interstate 81 South and continue until merging onto Interstate 40 East. This route covers 422 miles and takes approximately 6 hours and 35 minutes.

Another option is to take Interstate 77 South to Interstate 85 South, then merge onto Interstate 40 West. This route covers 451 miles and takes approximately 7 hours.

Finally, another possible route is to take Interstate 79 South to Interstate 77 South, then merge onto Interstate 81 South and continue until merging onto Interstate 40 East. This route covers 479 miles and takes approximately 7 hours and 40 minutes.

Cost Breakdown

To calculate the cost of each route, we will assume an average gas price of $2.50 per gallon and a car with an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon. We will also factor in one round-trip toll on the West Virginia Turnpike, which costs $8.75.

Direct Route

  • Distance: 422 miles
  • Gas cost (one-way): $42.20
  • Toll (round-trip): $8.75
  • Total cost: $92.15

I-77 to I-85 Route

  • Distance: 451 miles
  • Gas cost (one-way): $45.10
  • Toll (round-trip): $8.75
  • Total cost: $98.85

I-79 to I-77 Route

  • Distance: 479 miles
  • Gas cost (one-way): $47.90
  • Toll (round-trip): $8.75
  • Total cost: $104.65

Based on these cost breakdowns, it is clear that the direct route is the most cost-effective option.

While the direct route is the most cost-effective, there are other factors to consider when choosing a route. The I-77 to I-85 route may be more scenic, while the I-79 to I-77 route may be less crowded.

However, based on travel time and cost, we recommend taking the direct route. It covers the shortest distance and takes the least amount of time, making it the most efficient and cost-effective option.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cost of a trip between Charleston, WV and Durham, NC can vary depending on the route taken, gas prices, and tolls. After analyzing the costs of several possible routes, we recommend taking the direct route via Interstate 64 East to Interstate 77 South, then merging onto Interstate 81 South and continuing until merging onto Interstate 40 East. This route covers 422 miles and takes approximately 6 hours and 35 minutes, with a total cost of $92.15 one-way.