The Cost of a Road Trip from Brice, Ohio to Surf City, North Carolina

Are you planning a road trip from Brice, Ohio to Surf City, North Carolina? If so, you'll want to know how much it's going to cost you. In this article, we'll break down the potential routes, including the distance and cost of each one, and help you determine the best way to get to your destination.

Route 1: I-77 S and I-64 E

The first route is to take I-77 South and then switch to I-64 East. This route takes you through West Virginia and Virginia before dropping down into North Carolina. The distance is approximately 558 miles, with an estimated travel time of 9.5 hours.

According to GasBuddy, as of August 2021, the average gas price in Ohio is $2.92 per gallon. If you have a car with a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon (MPG), you'll need approximately 23 gallons of gas to complete the trip, which will cost you $67.16 in fuel.

Once you enter West Virginia, the gas prices increase slightly to an average of $3.02 per gallon. The average fuel economy on the I-77 is around 27 MPG, which means you'll use about 20.7 gallons of fuel. This leg of the trip will cost you $62.52.

As you enter Virginia, the gas prices increase again to an average of $3.09 per gallon. Your car's fuel economy may decrease slightly due to the mountainous terrain, but assuming an average of 25 MPG, you'll need around 20.7 gallons of gas, costing you approximately $63.96 in fuel.

As you enter North Carolina, the gas prices fall to an average of $2.86 per gallon. If your car maintains the same fuel economy, you'll need approximately 23 gallons of gas, costing you $65.78 in fuel.

Based on these estimates, the total cost of gas for this route is approximately $259.42.

Route 2: I-77 S, I-81 S, and I-40 E

The second route takes you through Virginia and Tennessee before entering North Carolina. To start, take I-77 South, then switch to I-81 South, and finally connect to I-40 East. This route has a distance of approximately 655 miles and an estimated travel time of 11 hours and 30 minutes.

Assuming the same fuel economy of 25 MPG, you'll need around 26.2 gallons of gas to complete the trip. The average gas price in Ohio is $2.92 per gallon, meaning the Ohio portion of the trip will cost you $76.58 in fuel.

As you enter Virginia, the gas prices increase slightly to an average of $3.09 per gallon. The average fuel economy on the I-81 is around 27 MPG, which means you'll use about 24.2 gallons of fuel. This leg of the trip will cost you $74.70.

In Tennessee, the gas prices increase again to an average of $3.04 per gallon. Assuming an average fuel economy of 25 MPG, you will require 26.2 gallons of gas, costing approximately $79.73 in fuel.

As you enter North Carolina, the gas prices fall to an average of $2.86 per gallon. If your car maintains the same fuel economy, you'll need approximately 26.2 gallons of gas, costing you $75.11 in fuel.

Based on these estimates, the total cost of gas for this route is approximately $306.12.

Route 3: I-77 S, I-26 E, and US-17 S

The third route is to take I-77 South, then connect to I-26 East before eventually making your way down to US-17 South. This route covers a distance of approximately 673 miles and takes an estimated 12 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

Assuming the same fuel economy of 25 MPG, you'll need approximately 27 gallons of gas to complete the trip. The average gas price in Ohio is $2.92 per gallon, meaning the Ohio portion of the trip will cost you $79.24 in fuel.

As you enter South Carolina, the gas prices increase slightly to an average of $2.98 per gallon. Your car's fuel economy may decrease slightly due to the hilly terrain, but assuming an average of 25 MPG, you'll need around 27 gallons of gas, costing you approximately $80.46 in fuel.

As you enter North Carolina, the gas prices fall to an average of $3.02 per gallon. If your car maintains the same fuel economy, you'll need approximately 27 gallons of gas, costing you $81.54 in fuel.

Based on these estimates, the total cost of gas for this route is approximately $241.24.

Conclusion

After comparing the different possible routes to get from Brice, Ohio, to Surf City, North Carolina, the most cost-effective option is Route 3 – I-77 S, I-26 E, and US-17 S. This route is not only the most gas-efficient, but it also avoids the higher gas prices of Virginia and Tennessee. Based on our calculations, the total cost of gas for this route is approximately $241.24.

Overall, regardless of which route you choose, the cost of gas is likely to be a significant portion of your expenses for this road trip. By planning your route ahead of time and frequently checking gas prices along the way, you can help manage and potentially reduce these costs. With that in mind, buckle up and enjoy the journey!