The Cost of a Trip Between Blacksburg, Virginia and Statesville, North Carolina

Are you thinking of taking a road trip from Blacksburg, Virginia to Statesville, North Carolina? Whether it's for business or pleasure, figuring out the cost of a trip can be daunting. Factors like gas prices, distance, vehicle efficiency, tolls, and even food and lodging can affect the cost of your trip. In this article, we'll break down the different possible routes, highlight the cost and distance of each one, and recommend the best route based on current gas prices.

Possible Routes

There are a few different routes you can take when driving from Blacksburg to Statesville. Let's explore the most common ones, from shortest to longest:

Route 1: I-81 S and I-77 S (267 miles)

This route takes you through the Appalachian Mountains and is the shortest way to get to Statesville from Blacksburg. Starting from Blacksburg, you'll take I-81 south towards Wytheville, and then switch to I-77 south towards Statesville.

Route 2: US-220 S and US-52 S (291 miles)

This route takes you through more scenic roads and small towns in Virginia and North Carolina. Starting from Blacksburg, you'll take US-220 south towards Greensboro, and then switch to US-52 south towards Statesville.

Route 3: I-81 S, I-40 E, and I-77 S (314 miles)

This route takes you through bigger cities like Knoxville and Asheville and is the longest way to get to Statesville from Blacksburg. Starting from Blacksburg, you'll take I-81 south towards Knoxville, then switch to I-40 east towards Asheville, and then switch to I-77 south towards Statesville.

Cost Analysis

Now that we know the different routes, let's figure out the cost of each one based on current gas prices. According to AAA, the national average gas price as of June 2021 is $3.03 per gallon.

Route 1: I-81 S and I-77 S (267 miles)

The distance for this route is the shortest, at 267 miles. If your car gets 25 miles per gallon (mpg), you'll need 10.7 gallons of gas to complete the trip. At $3.03 per gallon, the total cost for gas will be around $32.47.

Route 2: US-220 S and US-52 S (291 miles)

The distance for this route is slightly longer, at 291 miles. If your car gets 25 mpg, you'll need 11.6 gallons of gas to complete the trip. At $3.03 per gallon, the total cost for gas will be around $35.15.

Route 3: I-81 S, I-40 E, and I-77 S (314 miles)

The distance for this route is the longest, at 314 miles. If your car gets 25 mpg, you'll need 12.6 gallons of gas to complete the trip. At $3.03 per gallon, the total cost for gas will be around $38.17.

Recommendation

Based on the cost analysis above, Route 1 is the cheapest route to take, costing $32.47 in gas. It's also the shortest, which means you can arrive in Statesville faster. However, Route 2 and 3 offer more scenic views and could potentially lead to a more enjoyable drive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cost of a trip between Blacksburg, Virginia and Statesville, North Carolina can vary based on the route you take and other factors such as tolls, food, and lodging. If you're looking to save money on gas, Route 1 is the best option, costing around $32.47 based on current gas prices. However, if you're looking to enjoy a more scenic drive, Routes 2 and 3 are worth considering. Regardless of which route you take, the journey from Blacksburg to Statesville can take around 4-5 hours, depending on traffic and stops. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.