Taking a Road-Trip: The Cost of Driving from Arlington, Virginia to Wheaton, Maryland

Summer is here and you may be thinking about taking a quick road-trip. Whether you are going for a special event or just a much-needed getaway, there are some important factors to consider before hitting the road. One critical factor is the cost of your trip. In this blog post, we'll break down the cost of driving from Arlington, Virginia to Wheaton, Maryland based on current gas prices.

Route 1: I-495 W and I-270 N Route

This is the most direct route you can take, especially if you want to avoid heavy traffic in the city. To get to Wheaton, you will have to take I-495 W until you reach I-270 N, then continue until you get to Wheaton. This route is about 28 miles long and will take you approximately 35 minutes to get to your destination. Since you will be spending most of your time on highways, there will be little to no toll fees.

The amount of gas you need depends on the fuel economy of your vehicle. If your car can go about 30 miles per gallon, Round-trip gas will be about $7.50.

Route 2: Taking I-66 E to MD-267 E

Another option to reach Wheaton is to take I-66 E till you reach MD-267 E. This route is longer than the first route at 30.7 miles and will take approximately 50 minutes. This lengthier driving time is due to the fact that you will be driving mostly on roads besides highways.

While toll fee is not required for traveling on I-66 E, you will need to pay tolls to access MD-267 E. The total cost of tolls for the entire trip can range between $2.50 - $4.50. Assuming gas prices at around $3 per gallon, Round-trip gas on this route will cost you about $10.00.

Route 3: Arlington Blvd and University Blvd Route

Taking Arlington Blvd to University Blvd is another way to reach Wheaton. This route is about 15 miles long and will take approximately 35 minutes. While this route will get you to your destination faster, you will need to navigate through some heavy traffic.

Since this route is taken mostly in-city roads without any toll fees, you will only have to account for gas prices. With average fuel price, you will need approximately $3.50 for gas for a round trip.

Plan Your Trip Wisely

As you can see, the cost of driving to Wheaton from Arlington varies depending on the route you choose. Depending on the toll fees and gas prices, the ultimate cost of your trip will also differ. However, considering the distances and time, we can determine that Route 3 will mostly be the cheapest option, while Route 2 will be the most expensive. Depending on your priorities, you should select the route that best satisfies you.