How Much Will it Cost to Drive from Alexandria, Virginia to Buffalo, New York?

Are you planning a road trip from Alexandria, Virginia to Buffalo, New York? While the distance between these two cities may seem daunting, it's actually quite doable and can be a fun adventure. However, before you hit the road, it's important to know the cost of the trip, especially when it comes to gas and toll prices. In this post, we'll break down the cost of driving to Buffalo, New York from Alexandria, Virginia based on current gas prices.

Route 1: Via I-95 N and I-90 W (476 miles)

The most direct route between Alexandria and Buffalo is via I-95 N and I-90 W. This route is about 476 miles long and takes approximately 7 hours to complete, depending on traffic. According to AAA, the average gas price in Virginia is currently $2.73 per gallon, while the average gas price in New York is $3.02 per gallon. Assuming your vehicle gets an average of 25 miles per gallon, the cost of gas for this trip would be around $68.70.

In terms of toll roads, you'll encounter tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the New York State Thruway. The total cost of tolls one-way on this route is around $47.95, depending on your specific vehicle and whether you have an E-ZPass.

Route 2: Via I-81 N and I-90 E (567 miles)

Another option is to take I-81 N and I-90 E. This is a longer route, coming in at around 567 miles, but it'll take you through some gorgeous areas of Pennsylvania and upstate New York. The downside is that this route takes about 9 hours to complete, depending on traffic. According to AAA, the average gas price in Virginia is currently $2.73 per gallon, while the average gas price in New York is $3.02 per gallon. Assuming your vehicle gets an average of 25 miles per gallon, the cost of gas for this trip would be around $81.72.

In terms of toll roads, you'll encounter tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the New York State Thruway. The total cost of tolls one-way on this route is around $54.90, depending on your specific vehicle and whether you have an E-ZPass.

Route 3: Via I-95 N and I-88 W (496 miles)

If you're looking for a scenic route that avoids toll roads, you could take I-95 N and I-88 W. This route is about 496 miles long and takes approximately 8 hours to complete, depending on traffic. According to AAA, the average gas price in Virginia is currently $2.73 per gallon, while the average gas price in New York is $3.02 per gallon. Assuming your vehicle gets an average of 25 miles per gallon, the cost of gas for this trip would be around $72.16.

Since this route avoids toll roads, you won't have to worry about any toll costs.

Conclusion

No matter which route you choose, driving from Alexandria, Virginia to Buffalo, New York will involve some costs. In general, you can expect to spend anywhere from $68.70 to $81.72 on gas, depending on the route you take and the current gas prices. You'll also need to factor in toll costs, with total tolls ranging from $47.95 to $54.90 depending on the route.

Now that you know the cost of the trip, it's time to hit the road and enjoy the journey!