The Cost of a Trip between Bethlehem Township, PA and Abingdon, VA

Driving from Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania to Abingdon, Virginia can be a long journey, and it is important to consider the time, distance and cost of this trip. There are several routes one can take, each offering its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will examine the cost of the trip based on current gas prices and compare the different routes, ultimately recommending the best one.

Possible Routes

There are several routes that one can take when driving from Bethlehem Township to Abingdon. The first and most direct route is to follow Interstate 81 South for about 500 miles. This route takes approximately 8 hours and presents no tolls along the way.

Another option is to take Interstate 476 South to Interstate 76 West (the Pennsylvania Turnpike). Then follow Interstate 70 West, and finally take Interstate 81 South. This route is longer, stretching just over 550 miles and taking around 9 hours to complete. The major advantage of this route is that the driver can avoid traffic congestion around major cities like Washington D.C. and Baltimore, but it requires paying tolls.

Lastly, one can take a more scenic route, following US-11 South through scenic towns like Winchester and Radford. While this route only covers around 450 miles, it takes longer at roughly 11 hours. However, drivers opting for this route would not face any tolls.

Cost Analysis

To calculate the cost of this trip, we will use the US Department of Energy's Gasoline Price website as well as information from Google Maps on the distances between the destinations. The average gas price per gallon at the time of this writing is $3.00 per gallon.

Taking the first and most direct route, we see that it spans around 500 miles between Bethlehem Township and Abingdon, Virginia. With a fuel efficiency of around 25 miles per gallon and a gas price at $3.00 per gallon, a one-way trip would cost around $60 for gas.

If one chooses to take the toll road, this route covers around 550 miles. Using the same fuel efficiency and gas price before mentioned, a one-way trip would cost around $66 for gas. However, this route would also require paying tolls, which can vary considerably based on the driver's vehicle classification and whether they have an E-ZPass. When estimating tolls, it is important to consider that the driver would face four toll booths on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and paying more for vehicle classifications on I-70, totaling around $41 for the whole route.

Lastly, the scenic route along US-11 South would cover around 450 miles. A one-way trip with the same gas price and fuel efficiency discussed above would result in a cost of around $54. As stated earlier, the driver would not face any tolls on this route.

The Best Route

When considering the time, distance, and cost of the trip, the most practical option is taking Interstate 81 South since it is the most direct and cost-effective route. This route covers roughly 500 miles, takes around 8 hours to complete, and presents no tolls. While the other routes may be beneficial to drivers who want to avoid major traffic, they are ultimately longer and more costly, taking a toll on the driver's time and wallet. Nonetheless, drivers willing to trade the saving bucks for the experience and breathtaking views from scenic roads can opt for the US-11 South route.

Conclusion

When planning a trip from Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania to Abingdon, Virginia, it is essential to consider the distance and cost of each possible route. While there are longer, more scenic routes, taking Interstate 81 South is still the best option given its directness and affordability. It spans roughly 500 miles, taking around 8 hours to complete, with no tolls along the way. When taking this trip, it is always wise to account for tolls and different gas prices per gallon. Take all these factors into consideration, and make your trip an enjoyable one.