The Cost of Driving from Alexandria, Virginia to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Are you planning a road trip from Alexandria, Virginia to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? If so, it's important to factor in the cost of gas and tolls. In this blog post, we'll break down the cost of driving to Pittsburgh based on current gas prices and explore different routes to help you find the most affordable option.

Route 1: Interstate 70 West

This route takes you through Maryland, where you'll drive on I-70 West until you reach Pittsburgh. The distance of this route is approximately 250 miles and takes around 4 hours with normal traffic.

The cost of gas for this route roundtrip would be around $53 (based on gas prices in Alexandria, Virginia at the time of writing). Additionally, there is one toll booth along the way that costs $4.70 one-way, so budget for $9.40 in total.

Route 2: Interstate 68 West

Another option is to take I-68 West, which is a slightly longer route at approximately 265 miles. However, this route is said to have more scenic views than Route 1. This route also takes around 4 hours.

The cost of gas for this route roundtrip would be around $57 (based on gas prices in Alexandria, Virginia at the time of writing). Additionally, there are two tolls along the way that cost $4.70 and $6.40 respectively, so budget for $22.50 in total.

Route 3: Route 50 and Interstate 79 North

Lastly, you can take Route 50 and I-79 North to reach Pittsburgh. This route is approximately 300 miles long and takes around 5 hours to drive.

The cost of gas for this route roundtrip would be around $70 (based on gas prices in Alexandria, Virginia at the time of writing). There are no tolls on this route.

Conclusion

Based on current gas prices and tolls, the most affordable route is Route 1, with a roundtrip cost of approximately $62.40 including gas and tolls. However, if you're willing to spend more time on the road, Route 3 is a good option if you want to avoid tolls altogether. Regardless of which route you choose, be sure to factor in the cost of gas and tolls when planning your budget for the trip.

Safe travels!