The Cost of a Trip Between Ashburn, Virginia and Chevy Chase, Maryland: A Guide Based on Current Gas Prices

Are you planning a trip from Ashburn, Virginia to Chevy Chase, Maryland? Whether you're commuting for work or planning a weekend getaway, it's important to be aware of the cost of your trip. Gas prices can vary greatly depending on the route you choose, as well as the type of vehicle you'll be driving. In this guide, we'll break down the different possible routes from Ashburn to Chevy Chase, highlight the cost and distance of each one, and recommend the best route based on current gas prices.

Route 1: Via VA-267 E

The first option for driving from Ashburn to Chevy Chase is to take VA-267 E. This route has a distance of approximately 30.5 miles and depending on traffic can take you up to 45 minutes. The toll on this route varies depending on the time of the day, during the weekday for normal traffic, the toll is around $6.50, but during peak traffic, it can skyrocket to around $30. Gas prices for this trip, using the current national average of $2.898 per gallon for regular gas, is about $4.35 based on a vehicle with an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon.

Route 2: Via VA-7 E and MD-495 E

Another option is to take VA-7 E and MD-495 E. This route has a distance of approximately 32 miles and depending on traffic can take you up to an hour. With no tolls to take on this route, it's a more affordable option, with estimated gas prices for this trip at around $4.83 using the same vehicle with the same fuel efficiency rating.

Route 3: Via VA-267 E and MD-190 W

A third option is to take VA-267 E and MD-190 W. This route has a distance of approximately 33.4 miles and depending on traffic can take up to an hour and 15 minutes. There is a toll on this route of around $9.25 during the weekdays' for normal traffic, but can increase, depending on the time of day. The estimated gas prices for this trip is around $5.05.

Route 4: Using Public Transportation

Finally, if you don't want to drive, or if you prefer public transportation, you can take a combination of buses and trains to get from Ashburn to Chevy Chase. The journey takes around 2 hours and involves multiple transfers. On average, expect to pay around $15-20 for a one-way trip, depending on the time of day and whether you opt for public buses or a combination of buses and trains.

Recommending the Best Route

Based on current gas prices and overall convenience, we recommend taking Route 2 via VA-7 E and MD-495 E. This route is the most affordable option and does not have any tolls. Additionally, it's relatively straightforward and can be more reliable than other routes, which may be subject to traffic delays or toll increases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the cost of a trip from Ashburn, Virginia to Chevy Chase, Maryland can vary based on multiple factors, including fuel efficiency rates and tolls - Route 2 via VA-7 E and MD-495 E offers the best value for money, based on current gas prices. It's important to plan ahead and consider all possible routes to ensure that you're getting the most affordable and convenient way to travel between these two destinations. Overall, this recommended route should take around an hour to complete, barring any unforeseeable traffic issues.