The Cost of Driving from Bradenton, Florida to Fairhope, Alabama: A Breakdown of Routes and Prices

Are you planning a road trip from Bradenton, Florida to Fairhope, Alabama and wondering how much it'll cost you? The answer depends on the route you take, as well as current gas prices and any toll fees you may encounter along the way. To help you plan your journey, we've broken down the different options for you.

Route 1: Taking I-10 West

The first and most direct route from Bradenton to Fairhope is taking I-10 West. This route covers approximately 425 miles and takes about 6 hours and 45 minutes to drive, depending on traffic and stops. Gas prices along this route vary widely, but as of our most recent check, the average price was around $2.80 per gallon. Total gas costs for this trip, assuming your vehicle gets about 25 miles per gallon, are around $94 for the round trip.

In addition to gas costs, be prepared to pay toll fees on this route. Currently, the toll for the Florida Panhandle Beaches Toll is $4.75, while the toll for the Wallace Tunnel is $5.00.

Route 2: Taking Highway 98

If you don't want to deal with toll fees, another option is to take Highway 98. This route adds about 50 miles to the trip, making the total distance about 475 miles. However, it may be worth taking this route since it's more scenic and passes through several coastal towns, such as Port St. Joe and Panama City. It takes about 9 hours to drive, depending on traffic and stops. Gas prices along this route are also around $2.80 per gallon, so total gas costs for this trip will be around $110 for the round trip.

Route 3: Taking back roads

Finally, you can also opt to take back roads to get to Fairhope. While this route is the longest - covering approximately 550 miles and taking around 11 hours to drive - it also offers the most flexibility in terms of stop-offs and scenic views. Gas prices along this route may be slightly cheaper than on the highways, but you'll definitely expend more gas over the length of the drive. All in all, however, you can expect to spend around $150 for the round trip.

It's worth noting that taking back roads means you won't encounter any toll fees, as these are usually on highways.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the total cost of driving from Bradenton, Florida to Fairhope, Alabama depends on the route you choose and current gas prices/toll fees. Whether you decide to take the direct route or explore some of the back roads and coastal towns, be sure to budget for gas costs and any toll fees you may encounter along the way. Safe travels!