The Cost of Driving from Bowie, Maryland to Jacksonville, Florida

Are you thinking of taking a road trip from Bowie, Maryland to Jacksonville, Florida? While driving can be a fun and adventurous way to travel, it's important to consider the cost. In this blog post, we'll explore different routes, the distance of each route, the time it takes, and the cost of driving from Bowie, Maryland to Jacksonville, Florida based on current gas prices.

Route 1: I-95 S

The first and most direct route is to take Interstate 95 South. This route is 733 miles and takes approximately 11 hours to drive non-stop. According to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline as of June 21, 2021, is $3.07. This trip requires about 2 tanks of gas, with an assumed fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon, thus the total cost of gas will be $154. Add to that the toll fees, which include the Delaware Memorial Bridge ($5), the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel ($14), the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel ($4), and the Harbor Tunnel Thruway ($8), for a grand total of $185.

Route 2: I-81 S and I-77 S

The second route is to take Interstate 81 South and then switch to Interstate 77 South. This route is 856 miles and takes approximately 13 hours to drive non-stop. The cost of gas for this route is slightly higher, due to the increased distance that needs to be covered. Using the same fuel economy as the previous example, the total fuel cost will be about $177. Additionally, this route has fewer tolls, with the exception of the West Virginia Turnpike toll of $4 and the Florida Turnpike toll of $27. Hence, the total cost of this route will be $208.

Route 3: US-301 S and I-95 S

The third route is to take US-301 S and then switch to I-95 South. This route is 840 miles and takes approximately 13 hours and 30 minutes to drive non-stop. While this route has the highest total cost, it is the most scenic route of the three. Due to the lack of interstate highways, this route requires more fuel than the other two routes. Therefore, assuming the same fuel economy as the previous examples, the fuel cost for this route is $210. Moreover, there are several tolls to pay on this route, including the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway toll ($8), the Delaware Memorial Bridge toll ($5), and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel toll ($14). All told, the total cost of this route is $237.

In conclusion, the cost of driving from Bowie, Maryland to Jacksonville, Florida depends on the route you choose. The direct route on I-95 S is the cheapest, with a total cost of $185. The other two routes, I-81 S and I-77 S and US-301 S and I-95 S, both cost around $208 and $237, respectively. Keep in mind that this cost is based on current gas prices, which are always subject to change. So, don't forget to check gas prices again before setting out on your trip. Happy travels!