Driving from Beltsville, Maryland to Mount Airy, North Carolina: A Cost Analysis Based on Current Gas Prices

Planning a road trip between Beltsville, Maryland and Mount Airy, North Carolina? You're in luck because we've done the math for you! In this article, we'll breakdown the different possible routes, highlight the cost and distance of each, and recommend the best route based on current gas prices.

Possible Routes

There are several different routes you can take when driving from Beltsville to Mount Airy. Here are the three most common routes:

Route 1: via I-95 and I-85

This route takes you south on I-95 through Virginia and North Carolina before turning west on I-85 and ending in Mount Airy.

Distance: 360 miles

Estimated driving time: 5 hours 37 minutes

Route 2: via I-70 and I-77

This route takes you west on I-70 through Pennsylvania and West Virginia before turning south on I-77 and ending in Mount Airy.

Distance: 435 miles

Estimated driving time: 6 hours 33 minutes

Route 3: via I-270 and I-81

This route takes you southwest on I-270 through Maryland before turning south on I-81 and ending in Mount Airy.

Distance: 353 miles

Estimated driving time: 5 hours 37 minutes

Cost Analysis

To estimate the cost of the trip, we've used the AAA Gas Prices website to find the average gasoline prices in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina as of September 2021. For the purposes of this analysis, we've assumed a car with a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon and a gas tank size of 15 gallons.

Route 1: via I-95 and I-85

With 360 miles of driving, this route will require 14.4 gallons of gasoline. At an average gas price of $3.09 per gallon, the total cost of gasoline for this route is $44.50.

Route 2: via I-70 and I-77

With 435 miles of driving, this route will require 17.4 gallons of gasoline. At an average gas price of $3.00 per gallon, the total cost of gasoline for this route is $52.20.

Route 3: via I-270 and I-81

With 353 miles of driving, this route will require 14.12 gallons of gasoline. At an average gas price of $3.00 per gallon, the total cost of gasoline for this route is $42.36.

Recommended Route

Based on the cost analysis, Route 3 via I-270 and I-81 is the most cost-efficient option. It requires less gasoline than the other two routes and has a lower per-gallon gas price than Route 1. Additionally, this route takes you through some beautiful scenery, such as the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

Conclusion

Driving from Beltsville, Maryland to Mount Airy, North Carolina is a relatively short and enjoyable journey. While each of the three routes has its own benefits, Route 3 via I-270 and I-81 is the most cost-efficient option based on current gas prices. It requires an estimated 5 hours and 37 minutes of driving time, but with some beautiful scenery along the way, the drive is sure to be worth it. Happy road tripping!