The Cost of Driving from Alpine Township, Michigan to Topsail Beach, North Carolina

Are you planning a road trip from Alpine Township, Michigan to Topsail Beach, North Carolina? It's an exciting adventure, but it's important to plan accordingly, especially when it comes to the cost of gas and tolls. In this post, we'll break down the different routes you can take and the associated costs, so you can make an informed decision and budget accordingly.

Route 1: I-94 E to I-75 S to I-77 S

The first route takes you through major cities like Toledo, Columbus, and Charleston. It's a distance of 794 miles, which requires approximately 12 hours and 25 minutes to cover without rest stops. This route is great if you want to experience multiple cities, but it can be costly due to tolls in Ohio and West Virginia.

If you take this route, you'll need to pay about $12.00 tolls in Ohio and $9.00 in West Virginia. Additionally, based on the current gas prices ($3.00 per gallon), you'll need to budget about $120 for gas for a car with an average fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon.

Route 2: I-96 E to I-69 S to I-77 S

The second route is a lesser-used option, but it takes you through Lansing and Charlotte, two great cities to explore. This route is a bit shorter than the first, at 734 miles, which requires approximately 11 hours and 40 minutes to cover without rest stops. Toll-free, this route is most cost-effective.

If you take this route, there are no tolls to pay. Based on the current gas prices ($3.00 per gallon), you'll need to budget about $118 for gas for a car with an average fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon.

Route 3: I-94 E to I-69 S to I-77 S

The third route is a combination of the first and second but takes you through more backroads. This route is slightly longer, at 819 miles, which requires approximately 13 hours and 15 minutes to cover without rest stops. The route offers a bit of excitement since you get to drive through cities like Fort Wayne and Charleston.

If you take this route, there are no tolls to pay. Based on the current gas prices ($3.00 per gallon), you'll need to budget about $131 for gas for a car with an average fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon.

Conclusion

The total cost of your road trip depends on the route you take, the number of rest stops you make, and the current gas prices. The most cost-effective route is Route 2, while Route 1 is the priciest due to the tolls. Whichever route you choose, you should budget for gas, tolls, and other expenses to have a smooth drive to Topsail Beach.

Safe travels!