The Cost of Driving From Alexandria, Virginia to Columbia, South Carolina

Are you planning a road trip from Alexandria, Virginia to Columbia, South Carolina? Well, before you start packing your bags and getting behind the wheel, let's talk about the cost of this trip. Gas prices are constantly changing, and with that comes fluctuating costs for driving long distances. In this blog post, we'll explore the different routes available to you and break down the cost, distance, and time for each one.

Route One: I-95 S

The first and most straightforward route to take is I-95 S. This route has a total distance of approximately 449 miles, and the estimated time of travel is around 7 hours and 19 minutes.

Gas prices are significantly cheaper in Virginia than in South Carolina. As of September 2021, the average gas price in Virginia is $2.90 per gallon, and in South Carolina, the average is $2.87 per gallon. Assuming you have a vehicle that gets 20 miles per gallon, you would need 23 gallons of gasoline to reach your destination, which comes to a grand total of $66.70.

Additionally, there are tolls along this route, which cost a total of $26.75. Therefore, the total cost of driving from Alexandria, Virginia, to Columbia, South Carolina, via I-95 S, is $93.45.

Route Two: I-85 S

The second option is to take I-85 S, which has a total distance of approximately 541 miles, and the estimated time of travel is around 8 hours and 18 minutes.

Gas prices along this route are more expensive, with the average cost per gallon of gasoline being $2.91 in Virginia and $2.88 in South Carolina. With a vehicle that gets 20 miles per gallon, you would need 27 gallons of gasoline to complete this route, which comes to a grand total of $78.30.

There are tolls along this route as well, which cost a total of $10.50. Therefore, the total cost of driving from Alexandria, Virginia, to Columbia, South Carolina, via I-85 S, is $88.80.

Route Three: US-15 S and I-20 W

The third route to consider is to take US-15 S and I-20 W. This route has a total distance of approximately 529 miles, and the estimated time of travel is around 8 hours and 39 minutes.

Gas prices along this route are cheaper, with the average cost per gallon of gasoline being $2.91 in Virginia and $2.88 in South Carolina. With a vehicle that gets 20 miles per gallon, you would need 27 gallons of gasoline to complete this route, which comes to a grand total of $78.30.

There are no tolls along this route. Therefore, the total cost of driving from Alexandria, Virginia, to Columbia, South Carolina, via US-15 S and I-20 W, is $78.30.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks! The cost of driving from Alexandria, Virginia, to Columbia, South Carolina, depends on the route you take and the gas prices at the time of your journey. By comparing the costs, distance, and time for each route, you can decide which option best suits your needs and budget. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride!