The Cost of a Trip between Bluefield, West Virginia and Raleigh, North Carolina: Navigating Gas Prices

Traveling between Bluefield, West Virginia and Raleigh, North Carolina can be an adventure for those who decide to drive. With the current gas prices, however, it’s definitely not cheap. There are different routes to take, each with their own upsides and downsides. Here, we’ll explore the various routes and the costs associated with them, ultimately recommending the best route to take.

Route Options

The Fastest Route

The fastest route is undoubtedly via I-77 S. This route takes you through Princeton, Beckley, Charleston, and Parkersburg in West Virginia before crossing the Ohio River into Ohio. After that, it's onto driving through Gallipolis, Jackson, Chillicothe, and Cincinnati in Ohio before reaching Lexington, Kentucky.

Once you reach Lexington, it's a straight shot East to Raleigh via I-64 E. Despite the length of the journey, this route takes 7 hours and 9 minutes to complete. According to AAA, if you were to take this route with a compact car that gets 30 miles per gallon and gas prices at $3 a gallon, it would cost about $50.

The Cheapest Route

The cheapest route is via US-421 S. This route takes drivers through the Appalachian Mountains and through Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. Starting from Bluefield, it's up to Bristol, Tennessee, and then to Kingsport before moving onto the US-23 Bypass. After going through Pound, Kent Junction, and Norton in Virgina, it's onto Kentucky; you'll pass through Pine Mountain and Harlan before crossing into Tennessee. After passing through Middlesboro, Caryville, and Lake City in Tennessee, it's onto Oak Ridge and Clinton before finally reaching Raleigh via US-70 E.

Despite being the cheapest route with gas prices at $3 per gallon for a compact vehicle, which gets 30 miles per gallon, the 8 hour and 48-minute journey could cost around $45.

The Scenic Route

If you want to take the scenic route, it's via US-219 S. This route takes you through the mountains, which is definitely scenic, but also can make the trip longer and more winding. Beginning in Bluefield, the route passes through Princeton, and Peterstown before crossing into Virginia, taking drivers through Dabney, Renick, and Covington. From there, it's onto Florida, Eagle Rock, and Buchanan before arriving at Raphine, Virginia. Finally, it's on the I-81 S before reaching Raleigh.

This route is the longest route by distance, and driving through mountainous roads could make the 9 hour 30-minute trip seem even longer. At a gas price of $3 per gallon for a compact car, it would cost around $55.

Which Route is Best?

After considering the time and costs taken by each route, the best route to take is via I-77 S. Despite the longer travel time compared to US-421 S, it is almost $5 less expensive. The route is also more direct and makes fewer stops, making it the fastest of the three options. Additionally, the route passes through larger cities, providing plenty of rest stops and overnight accommodations if needed.

Conclusion

The cheapest route for a trip from Bluefield, West Virginia, to Raleigh, North Carolina is via US-421 S, while the fastest and best route is through I-77 S. Depending on your preference and route distance, the cost of the trip can range from around $45 to $55, a bit pricey on the wallet, but still manageable. Ultimately, it is up to the driver to determine which route offers the right balance of travel time, costs, and scenic beauty. Regardless of the route chosen, the trip will take around 7 and a half hours to get to Raleigh, with a straightforward drive straight to the destination.