The Cost of Driving from Arundel on the Bay to Washington D.C.

Are you planning a road trip from Arundel on the Bay, Maryland to Washington, D.C.? If so, it's important to budget for gas and toll expenses along the way. In this blog post, we'll break down the cost of driving this trip based on current gas prices.

Route 1: The Direct Route

The most direct route from Arundel on the Bay to Washington, D.C. is via US-50 W. This route is 38 miles, and you can expect to spend around 50 minutes driving (depending on traffic, of course). With current gas prices in the area averaging around $3.15/gallon, the estimated cost of gas for this route will be around $6.30 (round trip). There are no tolls on this route, so the cost is purely based on gas expenses.

Distance: 38 miles
Time: 50 minutes
Cost: $6.30

Route 2: The Scenic Route

If you're looking for a more scenic route, consider taking the Chesapeake Bay Bridge towards Annapolis before heading towards Washington, D.C. via US-50 W. The total distance for this route is 51 miles and the estimated driving time is around 1 hour and 10 minutes. While there are no tolls on the first portion of this route, there is a toll to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Currently, the toll for a two-axle vehicle is $4.00 each way. Additionally, you will spend around $8.40 in gas expenses for this route based on current gas prices in the area.

Distance: 51 miles
Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Cost: $16.80 (gas + tolls)

Route 3: The Fastest Route

If you're in a hurry and don't mind taking the highway, consider taking I-97 S towards Annapolis, and then take I-495 W (aka the Capital Beltway) towards Washington, D.C. This route is 40 miles, and you can expect to spend around 45 minutes driving (again, depending on traffic). With current gas prices in the area averaging around $3.15/gallon, the estimated cost of gas for this route will be around $6.30 (round trip). There are no tolls on I-97 S, but there are tolls on I-495 W. Currently, the toll for a two-axle vehicle is $1.85 during off-peak hours and $3.90 during peak hours (weekdays 6:30am-9:30am and 4:00pm-6:30pm).

Distance: 40 miles
Time: 45 minutes
Cost: $10.00 to $14.60 (gas + tolls depending on peak hours)

Conclusion

No matter which route you choose, be sure to budget for gas and toll expenses when planning your road trip from Arundel on the Bay, Maryland to Washington, D.C. By using this information as a guide, you can make an informed decision about which route is right for you based on your budget and time constraints. Safe travels!