How Gas Prices Impact the Cost of a Road Trip from Atlanta, Georgia to Goose Creek, South Carolina

If you're planning a road trip from Atlanta, Georgia to Goose Creek, South Carolina, one of the most important factors to consider is the cost. Gas prices can fluctuate quite a bit depending on the time of year, so it's important to be aware of the current prices to help estimate the total cost of your trip. In this article, we'll take a look at the different possible routes you can take, what the total mileage and estimated gas prices will be, and offer a recommendation for which route to take based on overall cost and travel time.

Route Option 1: I-85 South to I-20 East to I-26 East

The first possible route you can take to get from Atlanta to Goose Creek is by driving down I-85 South, then east on I-20 towards Columbia, before heading north on I-26 towards Goose Creek. According to Google Maps, this route is about 296 miles and will take approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

In terms of gas prices, this route will have you driving through Georgia, South Carolina, and a small section of North Carolina. As of August 2021, the average gas price in Georgia is $2.94 per gallon, while in South Carolina it's $2.81 per gallon, and in North Carolina it's $2.93 per gallon. Using the most expensive gas price in this range, assuming your car gets an average of 25 miles per gallon, and that you'll need to fill up your tank twice, the estimated total cost of gas for this route will be $87.

Route Option 2: I-85 South to I-26 East

Another option is to take I-85 South to I-26 East, rather than heading east on I-20 towards Columbia. This route is slightly shorter at 281 miles and should take about 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete.

In terms of gas prices, this route will have you driving through Georgia and South Carolina only. As mentioned earlier, the average gas price in Georgia is $2.94 per gallon, while in South Carolina it's $2.81 per gallon. For this route, assuming your car gets an average of 25 miles per gallon and that you'll need to fill up your tank twice, the estimated total cost of gas will be $80.

Route Option 3: I-75 South to I-16 East to I-95 North

The third option for getting from Atlanta to Goose Creek is to take I-75 South towards Macon, then take I-16 East towards Savannah, before heading north on I-95 towards Goose Creek. This is the longest route at 384 miles and should take approximately 6 hours and 15 minutes to complete.

In terms of gas prices, this route will have you driving through Georgia only. As of August 2021, the average gas price in Georgia is $2.94 per gallon. Assuming your car gets an average of 25 miles per gallon and that you'll need to fill up your tank twice, the estimated total cost of gas for this route will be $108.

Recommendation

Based on the estimated gas prices, as well as the total mileage and estimated travel time, it's clear that option 2 - taking I-85 South to I-26 East - is the most cost-effective and time-efficient route to take. While the difference in gas prices may not seem like a lot, when you factor in the total distance, it can add up quickly. Additionally, the shorter travel time on this route means you'll be able to spend more time enjoying your trip instead of being stuck in the car.

Conclusion

When planning a road trip from Atlanta, Georgia to Goose Creek, South Carolina, it's important to consider the cost of gas and the most efficient route to take. By taking I-85 South to I-26 East, you can expect to travel about 281 miles and fill up your tank twice, with an estimated total cost of gas around $80. This route should take approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete, making it the most cost-effective and time-efficient option for your road trip.