Driving Cost from Chesapeake, Virginia to Laurel, Maryland

A picture depicting a gas pump

The Cost of Driving From Chesapeake, Virginia to Laurel, Maryland

Are you planning a road trip from Chesapeake, Virginia to Laurel, Maryland? Before hitting the road, it's a good idea to estimate the cost of your journey. Fuel prices and toll rates can fluctuate, so let's break down the expenses for a more informed and stress-free trip.

Route 1: I-64 W and I-295 N

This route is the most direct and commonly used by travelers. The distance from Chesapeake, Virginia to Laurel, Maryland is 241 miles. With moderate traffic conditions, you can expect a driving time of approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes.

To calculate the fuel cost, let's assume your vehicle has an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon (mpg) and the current gas price in Virginia is $2.50 per gallon. This means you'll need around 9.6 gallons of gas for the journey. Multiplying the number of gallons by the gas price, the total fuel cost for this route is $24.

Keep in mind that this route has a few tolls along the way. The most notable is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel toll, which costs $14 for passenger vehicles. Including the toll, the total cost for this route is $38.

Route 2: US-13 N and US-50 W

If you prefer a slightly longer but scenic drive, this route offers a charming alternative. You'll cover a distance of about 258 miles, which would take around 4 hours and 15 minutes under normal traffic conditions.

Using the same fuel efficiency and gas price as before, you'd require approximately 10.3 gallons of gas for the journey. Thus, the fuel cost for this route would be $26. This route doesn't have any tolls, so the total cost remains at $26.

Route 3: I-64 W, I-295 N, and MD-32 W

For a balance between distance and time, you might consider taking this route. The total distance is about 255 miles, and you can expect a travel time of around 4 hours.

Based on our assumptions, the fuel consumption would be approximately 10.2 gallons, resulting in a fuel cost of $26. Similar to Route 1, this route includes the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel toll, bringing the total cost to $40.

Final Thoughts

Now that we've examined three popular routes from Chesapeake, Virginia to Laurel, Maryland, it's clear that driving costs can vary. Here's a summary of the distances, costs, and times for each route:

  • Route 1: 241 miles, $38 with a travel time of 3 hours and 45 minutes.
  • Route 2: 258 miles, $26 within a travel time of 4 hours and 15 minutes.
  • Route 3: 255 miles, $40 while taking approximately 4 hours.

Remember, these estimates are based on current fuel prices and toll rates, which are subject to change. Also, consider factors like traffic, weather conditions, and your vehicle's fuel efficiency when planning your trip.

Safe travels and enjoy your journey from Chesapeake, Virginia to Laurel, Maryland!