Planning a Road Trip from Asheville to Sunset Beach - Let's Talk About the Cost!

Are you looking for a scenic and wallet-friendly road trip option in North Carolina? Look no further than driving from Asheville to Sunset Beach! With miles of beautiful scenery, plenty of interesting pit stops along the way, and affordable fuel prices, this trip is worth giving a go. Let's take a closer look at the cost and logistics of driving from Asheville to Sunset Beach.

The Route

There are two main routes you can take to get from Asheville to Sunset Beach. The first option is to take I-40 East and then I-140 South to Highway 17. The distance of this route is approximately 320 miles and should take between 5 and 6 hours depending on traffic and how often you stop for breaks. The toll charge for this route is $5.00.

The second option is an alternate and slightly shorter route. Drive I-26 East to I-95 South to Highway 74 East and take the 76 East exit to Sunset Beach. This route is approximately 280 miles, with a driving time of just over 4 hours. There is no toll charge for this route.

Fuel Costs

Fuel cost is the most significant expense during a road trip. At the time of writing this article, the average gas price in North Carolina was $2.72 per gallon. We can estimate the cost of fuel by using Google Maps distance calculator and a fuel cost calculator tool.

For the first route which is 320 miles, a car with a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon (MPG) you can expect to use 12.8 gallons of gas. This means the total cost of fuel will be $34.81.

For the second route, which is 280 miles, a car with the same fuel economy can expect to use 11.2 gallons of gas. The total estimated cost of fuel for the trip would be around $30.46.

Note that these prices don't include any detours for sightseeing or scenic routes along the way, so remember to factor that in!

Travel Costs

Apart from fuel, there are several other expenses to consider when planning your trip. Depending on whether you use the toll route or not, there will be a charge for crossing the I-140 bridge. As we mentioned earlier, the fee for I-140 is $5.00.

You should also consider the cost of accommodation for your trip. As Sunset Beach is a tourist hot spot, there are plenty of lodging options with affordable prices to choose from.

Conclusion

In summary, the cost of driving from Asheville to Sunset Beach will depend on multiple factors. Fuel costs are the most significant expense for the trip, but toll charges and accommodations should also be considered. However, with a little planning and budgeting, you can have a fantastic trip without breaking the bank. So pack your bags, turn up the music, and hit the road for a fantastic road trip from Asheville to Sunset Beach!