The Current Cost of Driving From Appleton, Wisconsin to Murphy, North Carolina

Are you thinking of taking a road trip from Appleton to Murphy for a family vacation or a weekend getaway? Before hitting the road, it might be helpful to plan out the different routes you can take and determine the cost of each option based on gas prices and tolls. Let's take a closer look!

Option 1: I-94 and I-75 S

The first route you can take is via I-94 and I-75 S, with a total distance of approximately 990 miles. This route will take you through Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee before entering North Carolina. If you are traveling by car that gets around 25 miles per gallon, you can expect to use around 39 gallons of gas for this trip. With the current gas price averaging around $3.00 per gallon, the total gas cost will be around $117.

Moreover, while traveling through Kentucky, you will encounter a toll booth when you cross into Ohio River Bridges along I-65. There are three bridges subject to tolls for both directions of travel: one between Clark County, Indiana, and Jeffersonville, Indiana ($1), one between Prospect, Kentucky, and Utica, Indiana ($4), and one between Louisville, Kentucky, and Jeffersonville, Indiana ($4). The total cost for tolls on this route will be around $9.

The estimated travel time for this route is around 15 hours, not including any stops for food, rest, or important pit-stops along the way.

Option 2: I-39 and I-77 S

If you prefer a slightly shorter route, you can also take I-39 and I-77 S, with a total distance of approximately 925 miles. This route will take you through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia before entering North Carolina. Similar to the first option, if you are traveling by car that gets around 25 miles per gallon, you can expect to use around 37 gallons of gas for this trip, which totals around $110 based on the current gas price.

On this route, there are also tolls to consider. The West Virginia Turnpike, which is a 88-mile stretch highway in Southern West Virginia, only allows E-ZPass transactions. The cost of the tolls can range from $1.20 to $7.25 depending on the type of vehicle. The total cost for this toll will be around $9.46.

The estimated travel time for this route is around 14 hours, not including any stops for food, rest, or important pit-stops along the way.

Option 3: I-65 S and I-24 E

Another option is via I-65 S and I-24 E, with a total distance of approximately 710 miles. This route will take you through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee before entering North Carolina. Take note that there are no tolls on this route. Similar to the other routes, if you are traveling by car that gets around 25 miles per gallon, you can expect to use around 28 gallons of gas for this trip. With the current gas price, the total gas cost will be around $85.

The estimated travel time for this route is around 11 hours, not including any stops for food, rest, or important pit-stops along the way.

Final Thoughts

Driving from Appleton, Wisconsin, to Murphy, North Carolina, is quite a distance and can be quite a bit of a journey. But it's definitely worth the effort when you arrive in Murphy, where you'll find charming communities, breathtaking scenery, and a plethora of must-see and must-do attractions.

When planning your trip, consider the different routes available to you. With our breakdown of the distance, cost, and time for the three primary routes, you should be able to make an informed decision as you consider the overall cost of your trip. Remember, safety is always a top priority, so take frequent breaks, stay hydrated, and enjoy your drive!