Estimating Your Trip: The Cost of Driving from Dartmouth, Massachusetts to Raleigh, North Carolina
Planning a road trip can be exciting, especially when you're heading from Dartmouth, Massachusetts to the vibrant city of Raleigh, North Carolina. As you prepare for this journey, knowing the cost helps you budget effectively. Let’s break down different routes, distances, travel times, and the cost of gas to make your planning a breeze!
Route 1: I-95 South
One of the most straightforward routes is taking I-95 South.
- Distance: Approximately 900 miles
- Time: Roughly 14 hours of driving time
- Gas Cost: Based on current average gas prices of around $3.60 per gallon, and assuming your vehicle gets about 25 miles per gallon, you’d spend around $129 on gas.
- Toll Costs: You will encounter tolls, especially in Northern Virginia and Maryland, totaling about $25.
So, for Route 1, you’re looking at $154 in total costs, combining gas and tolls.
Route 2: I-81 South
If you're aiming for a slightly different scenic experience, consider taking I-81 South.
- Distance: About 950 miles
- Time: This route will take approximately 15 hours of driving time.
- Gas Cost: Using the same gas prices and mileage calculations, you’d spend around $138 on gas.
- Toll Costs: Fortunately, this route has fewer tolls, totaling about $10.
Thus, the total cost for Route 2 would be around $148, which is slightly cheaper than Route 1 despite the longer distance.
Route 3: I-95 with I-64 West
For a more scenic drive through Virginia, you might choose to hit I-95 down to I-64.
- Distance: Approximately 920 miles
- Time: Expect to spend about 14.5 hours on the road.
- Gas Cost: Your gas expenses would be around $132, assuming the same circumstances.
- Toll Costs: This route could cost you up to $20 in tolls.
Overall, this route would result in a total travel cost of about $152.
Making Your Decision
Now that you have the breakdown of three different routes, you can see that traveling from Dartmouth, Massachusetts to Raleigh, North Carolina offers various options depending on your preferences for scenery and time. Each route has its unique charm, but by understanding the costs involved—$154 for Route 1, $148 for Route 2, and $152 for Route 3—you can make the best choice for your journey.
Pack your bags and hit the road, knowing you've got a solid handle on what to expect for driving costs! Safe travels!