Budgeting Your Road Trip: Driving from Drexel, NC to Savannah, TN
Planning a road trip is always exciting, but it's important to keep an eye on the budget, especially when it comes to gas prices. As of today, gas prices are averaging around $3.20 per gallon. Let’s explore a couple of routes from Drexel, North Carolina to Savannah, Tennessee, highlighting the distance, time, and cost involved.
Route 1: The Scenic I-40 West
The first option you might consider is taking I-40 West, which is not only scenic but also relatively straight-forward.
Distance: Approximately 300 miles
Estimated Time: About 5 hours
Gas Cost: To calculate the fuel cost for this route, we'll use the formula: (Distance / MPG) * Current Gas Price. Let’s assume your vehicle gets 25 miles per gallon.
[ \text = (300 , \text / 25 , \text) * 3.20 , \text = 38.40 , \text ]
Toll Costs: Unfortunately, this route does not involve any toll roads, so the toll cost is $0.
In summary, taking this route will cost you approximately $38.40 in gas, and you'll be on the road for about 5 hours!
Route 2: The I-26 and I-40 Route
Another great option is to take I-26 West, which then merges into I-40 West. This route offers beautiful mountain views and charming pit stops along the way.
Distance: Approximately 325 miles
Estimated Time: About 5 hours and 30 minutes
Gas Cost: Using the same calculations with a distance of 325 miles:
[ \text = (325 , \text / 25 , \text) * 3.20 , \text = 41.60 , \text ]
Toll Costs: Like the first route, this one also has no tolls, so the toll cost remains $0.
So, if you choose this route, you’ll spend about $41.60 on gas and will be in the car for around 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Quick Comparison
To recap, here’s an overview of your options:
Route | Distance | Time | Gas Cost | Toll Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
I-40 West | 300 miles | 5 hours | $38.40 | $0 |
I-26 West to I-40 | 325 miles | 5 hours 30 min | $41.60 | $0 |
Conclusion
As you can see, both routes offer their own charm and attractions along the way. While the first route via I-40 West is quicker and slightly more economical, the I-26 route adds time but features stunning scenery. Regardless of the path you choose, you can comfortably budget around $38.40 to $41.60 for gas.
So, pack your bags, gather your favorite snacks, and enjoy the drive to Savannah! Happy travels!