The Cost of Driving From Asheville, North Carolina to Charleston, South Carolina

If you're planning on taking a road trip from Asheville, North Carolina to Charleston, South Carolina, you're in for a treat. This drive has some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the beaches of Charleston. However, before hitting the road, it's important to take into consideration the cost of the trip, so you can plan accordingly. In this blog post, we'll break down the cost of driving different routes between Asheville and Charleston based on current gas prices.

Route 1: Via I-26 East

The most direct route from Asheville to Charleston is via I-26 East. This route is approximately 250 miles long and takes around 4 hours to complete. Since it's a major interstate highway, there are no tolls to worry about.

According to GasBuddy, as of August 2021, the average gas price in Asheville is $2.98 per gallon. Using a vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon, you can expect to spend around $30 on gas for this route. The price may be higher or lower depending on your vehicle's gas mileage and the current gas prices.

Route 2: Via US-25 and I-26 East

If you'd like to take a more scenic route and avoid the interstate, you can take US-25 South to I-26 East. This route adds about 20 miles to the trip, making it a total of 270 miles long. However, it takes around the same amount of time as Route 1: 4 hours.

Since you'll be taking US-25, there are no tolls to worry about. However, bear in mind that this route has a lot of twists and turns, so take it slow if you're not used to mountain driving.

Based on the same gas prices mentioned above, you can expect to spend around $32 on gas for this trip.

Route 3: Via US-25, I-26 East, and SC Highway 17

Finally, you can take a completely different route from Asheville to Charleston by combining US-25, I-26 East, and SC Highway 17. This route is about 290 miles long and takes around 5 hours to complete.

While still avoiding tolls, you'll be taking SC Highway 17, which has some of the best views of the South Carolina coastline. However, keep in mind that this route has a lot of traffic during peak tourist season, so you might want to avoid it during those times.

Using the same gas prices, you can expect to spend around $35 on gas for this trip.

Conclusion

In summary, the cost of driving from Asheville to Charleston varies depending on the route you take. If you take I-26 East, you can expect to spend around $30 on gas for the 250-mile trip. If you take US-25 and I-26 East, expect to spend around $32 for the 270-mile trip. Finally, if you take US-25, I-26 East, and SC Highway 17, expect to spend around $35 for the 290-mile trip. Keep in mind that gas prices fluctuate frequently, so make sure to check before you hit the road.

Now that you know the cost of each route, you can make an informed decision about which one to take. Whichever route you choose, drive safely, and enjoy the journey!