The Cost of a Road Trip: Boardman, Ohio to Virginia Beach, Virginia

Road trips are an excellent way to explore new places, gain memorable experiences and bond with family or friends. Nonetheless, the cost of taking a road trip can be a significant factor in determining whether to go or not. In this article, we explore the cost of a road trip from Boardman, Ohio to Virginia Beach, Virginia, based on current gas prices. We will take a look at possible routes, highlight the costs and distances of each one, and recommend the best route.

Possible Routes

There are three primary routes from Boardman, Ohio to Virginia Beach, Virginia, with slight variations based on preferred stops. They include:

Route 1

This route takes you through Mansfield, Columbus, Akron, Kent, Ravenna, Alliance, and Youngstown. The total driving distance spans about 607 miles, taking approximately ten hours and thirty-one minutes with normal traffic conditions.

Route 2

Route 2 takes you through Cleveland, Akron, Canton, New Philadelphia, Cambridge, Zanesville, and Chillicothe. You will cover a total of approximately 629 miles and take approximately ten hours and thirty-seven minutes to reach your destination in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Route 3

Route 3 passes through Akron, Canton, New Philadelphia, Cambridge, Zanesville, Marietta, and Charleston before arriving at Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is the longest route, covering a distance of approximately 759 miles and takes about twelve hours to arrive at the final destination.

Cost and Distance of Each Route

Fuel Cost

To find out the exact cost of driving, we will assume the standard gas mileage for most modern vehicles, which is 25 miles per gallon on the highway. A gallon of gas costs on average $2.85 in Ohio and the trip will use approximately 71 gallons of gas, $202 in total.

Toll Roads

Route 1 doesn't have toll roads, while Route 2 and 3 have toll sections, which adds approximately $21 in toll fees.

Other Expenses

Other expenses to consider during the trip include accommodation and meals or snacks. We assume a standard two nights stay in a three-star hotel at $130 per night and two meals a day at a total of $30. The total cost of accommodation for two nights will be $260, and the total food cost during the trip is $120. This equals a grand total of $380.

Route 1 cost breakdown

The round trip is a total of 1214 miles, requiring 71 gallons of gas at $2.85 per gallon, costing $202. There aren't any toll fees, and staying for two nights in a three-star hotel while spending $30 on meals adds to the total cost. The total cost of Route 1 for one person is approximately $782.

Route 2 cost breakdown

The round trip is a total of 1258 miles, requiring 74.5 gallons of gas at $2.85 per gallon, costing $212. There are also toll fees that come to approximately $11 in toll fees for the trip. After allowing for two nights in a three-star hotel and food costing $30 per day, the total cost of Route 2 for one person is approximately $812.

Route 3 cost breakdown

The round trip is a total of 1518 miles, requiring roughly 94.7 gallons of gas at $2.85 per gallon, costing $270. With toll fees estimated to be approximately $10, the total cost of tolls is $20. After factoring in two nights in a three-star hotel and meals, the total cost of Route 3 is approximately $950 for one person.

Recommended Route

From the cost and distance breakdown of each route, Route 1 is the cheapest and most direct route, while Route 3 is the longest and the most expensive. Route 2 will cost more than Route 1 but will give you the chance to see more along the journey. It all depends on your preference and how much time and money you wish to spend.

Conclusion

The road trip from Boardman, Ohio to Virginia Beach, Virginia can be an excellent way to explore the country and bond with your travel companion(s). It is recommended to opt for Route 1 if you wish to save on time and money. Total driving time is approximately ten hours and thirty-one minutes with the toll-free 607 miles route. The cost per person would be approximately $782, inclusive of food, gas, and two nights at a three-star hotel. With careful planning, a road trip can be an enjoyable and affordable way to travel in style, and we hope that this article has been beneficial in that aspect.