The Cost of Driving From Annapolis, Maryland to Huntsville, Alabama

If you're planning a road trip from Annapolis, Maryland to Huntsville, Alabama, one of your main concerns might be how much the trip will cost. Gas prices and toll fees can quickly add up, so it's important to consider your options carefully. Here's an overview of different routes you might take, along with their distances, estimated driving times, and total costs based on current gas prices.

Route 1: via I-95 S and I-20 W

Distance: 1,007 miles

Driving time: about 16 hours

Gas cost*: $118.02

Toll fees: $23.50

This is one of the most direct routes from Annapolis to Huntsville, taking you through Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. You'll start out on I-95 S, which can be busy and congested during peak travel times. You'll also hit several toll roads along the way, including the New Jersey Turnpike, the Delaware Turnpike, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Once you reach Georgia, you'll switch to I-20 W, which will take you through Atlanta and on to Huntsville.

Route 2: via I-81 S and I-40 W

Distance: 1,027 miles

Driving time: about 17 hours

Gas cost*: $122.10

Toll fees: $0.00

This route takes you through Virginia, Tennessee, and on to Alabama. You'll start out on I-81 S, which is generally less congested than I-95 and doesn't have any tolls. Once you reach Tennessee, you'll switch to I-40 W, which will take you through Nashville before heading south to Huntsville.

Route 3: via I-68 W, I-79 S, and I-64 W

Distance: 1,106 miles

Driving time: about 18 hours

Gas cost*: $130.68

Toll fees: $14.00

This route takes you through West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee before reaching Alabama. You'll start out on I-68 W, which will take you through the mountains of western Maryland and into West Virginia. Once you reach Morgantown, you'll switch to I-79 S, which will take you through Charleston and on to Kentucky. From there, you'll switch to I-64 W, which will take you through Louisville and into Tennessee. Finally, you'll take I-65 S down to Alabama, before heading west to Huntsville.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are several different routes you could take from Annapolis to Huntsville. The most direct route (route 1) will take you through several busy cities and toll roads, but might be a good option if you want to get there as quickly as possible. The other routes (2 and 3) are longer but don't have tolls and might be more scenic. Keep in mind that gas prices can fluctuate, and your actual cost might vary based on your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Safe travels!

*Gas cost calculated based on the average fuel price of $2.44 per gallon as of June 2021, assuming a vehicle with a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon and a total trip distance of the route. Toll fees are estimated and may vary based on season and time of day.