The Cost of Driving From Beckley, WV to Columbia, MD based on Current Gas Prices

If you are planning a road trip from Beckley, West Virginia to Columbia, Maryland, you may be wondering about the cost. There are several routes to get to your destination, each with a different distance, time, and cost. In this blog post, we will break down the cost of driving from Beckley to Columbia, based on current gas prices.

Route 1: via I-64 E and I-81 N

This route takes you through Virginia and is approximately 311 miles, which takes around 4 hours and 52 minutes, depending on your speed and traffic conditions. You will pass through natural scenic beauty and can enjoy the landscape along the way.

Gas prices in West Virginia are currently $2.94 per gallon, Virginia is at $2.97 per gallon, while Maryland is at $2.93 per gallon.

Assuming your vehicle's gas consumption is 24 miles per gallon, you would use around 12.96 gallons of gas, costing you $38.06. There is no toll along this route, so this final cost amount is for gas only.

Route 2: via I-68 E and I-70 E

This route takes you through the mountains on I-68 and across Maryland on I-70 East. The distance covered is approximately 345 miles, and it takes around 5 hours 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Gas prices in West Virginia are currently $2.94 per gallon, again, while Maryland is at $2.93 per gallon.

Assuming your vehicle's gas consumption is still 24 miles per gallon, you would use around 14.4 gallons of gas, costing you $42.13. There is also a toll road along this route, which would incur an additional $4.00 in tolls, bringing your total cost to $46.13.

Route 3: via I-64 E, I-66 E, and I-495 N

This route takes you through Virginia, Washington D.C, and Maryland and is approximately 371 miles. This route is longer than the others, but it depends on if you enjoy driving through cities. Depending on traffic conditions and accidents, it could take close to 7 hours.

Gas prices in West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland are all the same as Route 1 and Route 2.

Assuming your vehicle's gas consumption is still 24 miles per gallon, you would use around 15.46 gallons of gas, costing you $45.41. There are two tolls along this route: one on I-66 E, which costs $1.00, and another on I-495 N, which is $1.50. These two tolls bring your total toll cost to $2.50. Your total cost inclusive of gas and tolls would be $47.91.

Final Thoughts

Driving from Beckley, West Virginia to Columbia, Maryland, has different routes, each with a varying distance, time, and cost. The cost analysis above is dependent on the assumptions made on the vehicle’s fuel consumption, traffic conditions, and current gas prices.

Therefore, when you are planning a trip, it is best to factor in other variables, such as your vehicle's gas mileage, toll fees, and even the price of snacks for the drive. With that information, you can now make an informed decision on which route works best for you. Safe driving!