The Cost of a Trip between Birmingham, Alabama and Wilson, North Carolina based on Current Gas Prices

Traveling from point A to point B can be challenging, especially when one is looking at the cost of the trip. A significant part of the cost involved in any road trip is the fuel cost. Therefore, when planning a trip from Birmingham, Alabama to Wilson, North Carolina, considering the current gas prices is essential. From Birmingham to Wilson, different routes can be used, and each has its own cost implications. In this article, we will analyze various routes from Birmingham to Wilson, their distances, costs, and recommend the best route based on current gas prices.

Possible Routes

Before getting into the cost of the trip, it is essential to look at the different routes that can be used to travel from Birmingham, Alabama, to Wilson, North Carolina.

Route 1: Via I-65 N and I-85 N

This route covers a distance of approximately 693 miles. From Birmingham, one takes I-65 N to Montgomery, Alabama, then heads east via I-85 N, passing through major cities like Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina. The route is popular, and one can expect to encounter some slight traffic.

Route 2: Via I-20 E and I-85 N

This route covers approximately 709 miles, and as the name suggests, it includes taking I-20 E and I-85 N. From Birmingham, one takes I-20 E, passing through Atlanta, Georgia, and then joins I-85 N to Charlotte before getting to Wilson.

Route 3: Via I-59 N and I-20 E

This route involves traveling 746 miles and is the northernmost route. From Birmingham, one takes I-59 N to Chattanooga, Tennessee, then joins I-24 E before connecting to I-75 N. One can then proceed to Knoxville, Tennessee, before joining I-40 E to Greensboro, North Carolina. From Greensboro, one can then take I-85 S to Wilson.

Fuel Cost Estimates

Now that we have looked at the different routes that we can take from Birmingham to Wilson, the next thing is to estimate the fuel cost. Fuel prices change daily, thus, for our estimates, we will assume that the current gas price is $2.50 per gallon, and the vehicle we will use has an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon.

Route 1 Estimates

To travel from Birmingham to Wilson via this route, we will travel approximately 693 miles. With our assumed fuel efficiency of 25 mpg, we will use around 27.7 gallons of gas. At the current gas price, this will mean that we will spend approximately $69.25 on fuel.

Route 2 Estimates

To travel from Birmingham to Wilson via this route, we will travel approximately 709 miles. With our assumed fuel efficiency of 25 mpg, we will use around 28.4 gallons of gas. At the current gas price, this will mean that we will spend approximately $71.00 on fuel.

Route 3 Estimates

To travel from Birmingham to Wilson via this route, we will travel approximately 746 miles. With our assumed fuel efficiency of 25 mpg, we will use around 29.8 gallons of gas. At the current gas price, this will mean that we will spend approximately $74.50 on fuel.

Recommended Route

Based on our fuel cost estimates, it is clear that Route 1 is the cheapest, followed closely by Route 2, and then Route 3. However, Route 3 involves traveling an extra 53 miles compared to Route 1, thus, even though it only costs around $5 more than Route 1, it may not be the most efficient.

Owing to its popularity and fewer miles, Route 1 - via I-65 N and I-85 N - is the recommended route for traveling from Birmingham, Alabama, to Wilson, North Carolina.

Conclusion

From the three possible routes provided, it is clear that Route 1 is the best in terms of fuel cost and efficiency in covering the distance from Birmingham, Alabama, to Wilson, North Carolina. With our assumed fuel cost of $2.50 per gallon and average fuel efficiency of 25 mpg, we estimated that the fuel cost for a trip along Route 1 would be approximately $69.25. However, it is essential to note that fuel prices are subject to change, thus, always check the current gas prices before embarking on any road trip.