The Cost of a Trip from Birmingham, Alabama to Apex, North Carolina Based on Current Gas Prices

Are you planning a road trip from Birmingham, Alabama to Apex, North Carolina? Before embarking on your journey, it's important to know the potential costs involved. Gas prices can vary significantly depending on the route you take and the current oil prices. In this article, we'll break down the cost of the trip based on mileage and gas prices, so you can budget accordingly.

Possible Routes

There are several possible routes you can take when driving from Birmingham, Alabama to Apex, North Carolina. The most direct route, according to Google Maps, takes you through Atlanta, Georgia. This route covers 500 miles and will take roughly 8 hours and 15 minutes to complete.

Another possible route takes you through Chattanooga, Tennessee and Knoxville, Tennessee before driving through Asheville, North Carolina. This adds an additional 60 miles to your trip, bringing the total distance to 560 miles. This route will take you roughly 9 hours and 15 minutes to complete.

Lastly, you could take a longer route that follows the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. This route will take you through the Appalachian Mountains, and will add an additional 100 miles to your trip, bringing the total distance to 600 miles. This route will take roughly 12 hours to complete.

Cost and Distance of Each Route

Gas prices change frequently and can vary from state to state. For the purpose of this article, we'll use national averages, gathered from GasBuddy.com, as of October 2021. The average price of regular unleaded gas in the United States is $3.27 per gallon.

Birmingham, Alabama to Apex, North Carolina via Atlanta, Georgia

The distance between Birmingham, Alabama and Apex, North Carolina via Atlanta, Georgia is approximately 500 miles. According to GasBuddy.com, the average gas price in Alabama is $2.90 per gallon, while the average gas price in Georgia is $3.19 per gallon. Based on these averages, you can expect to spend around $43 on gas for a one-way trip.

Birmingham, Alabama to Apex, North Carolina via Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee

The distance between Birmingham, Alabama and Apex, North Carolina via Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee is approximately 560 miles. According to GasBuddy.com, the average gas price in Tennessee is $2.99 per gallon. Based on this average, you can expect to spend around $49 on gas for a one-way trip.

Birmingham, Alabama to Apex, North Carolina via Blue Ridge Parkway

The distance between Birmingham, Alabama and Apex, North Carolina via Blue Ridge Parkway is approximately 600 miles. According to GasBuddy.com, the average gas price in Virginia is $3.03 per gallon, while the average gas price in North Carolina is $3.14 per gallon. Based on these averages, you can expect to spend around $52 on gas for a one-way trip.

Best Route and Estimated Cost

After comparing the three routes, the most cost-effective and time-effective route is the first option, through Atlanta, Georgia. This route is the shortest, taking only 8 hours and 15 minutes to complete. The estimated cost of gas for a one-way trip is around $43, which is lower than the other routes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cost of a road trip from Birmingham, Alabama to Apex, North Carolina will depend on the route you choose and current gas prices. The most cost-effective route is via Atlanta, Georgia, costing around $43 for gas. It's important to keep in mind that gas prices can fluctuate rapidly, so it would be wise to check the current prices before embarking on your journey. The estimated time for this trip is 8 hours and 15 minutes, making it a manageable day trip or weekend getaway. Enjoy the drive and take in the beautiful scenery along the way!