Driving Cost from Carrboro, North Carolina to Atlanta, Georgia

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The Cost of a Trip between Carrboro, North Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia

Planning a trip from Carrboro, North Carolina to Atlanta, Georgia? Then, you're in the right place. This article will give an overview of the different travel routes, their respective costs, and distances. With a little bit of discretion and knowledge, you can achieve your travel plans without going broke.

The Travel Routes

Route 1: Via I-85 S

The most direct route is via I-85 S, a 377-mile drive that takes approximately 5 hours 46 minutes. On this route, you'll start from Carrboro on the I-85 S and will pass through Greensboro, Salisbury, Charlotte, Spartanburg, and Greenville.

Route 2: Via I-85 S and I-285 W

The second route involves using I-85 S and I-285 W. This route is a little bit longer, covering 398 miles with an average time of 6 hours. You'll begin in Carrboro and follow the I-85 S route, then at Atlanta, join the I-285 W. The I-285 W route will take you around the city and bring you back to I-85 S, which you'll follow to end at your destination.

Route 3: Via I-40 W

Route 3 is a little bit farther, covering a distance of 577 miles with an average time of 9 hours. You will follow the I-40 W from Carrboro to Tennessee and then join the I-75 S, which will take you through Chattanooga and Dalton to Atlanta.

Route 4: Via I-95 S and I-16 W

This route through the Coastal Plain of eastern Georgia is the longest, at 641 miles and taking approximately 10 hours. This route involves using I-95 S to Florida, then cutting back to the west of the state with I-16 W. It takes you through Savannah, Macon, and eventually to Atlanta.

The Cost of the Trip

Knowing the distances is great, but it's also essential to factor in the cost of fuel, meals, and toll charges, which all contribute to the total cost.

Fuel Cost

Fueling up for your trip will be an important part of your budget. The cost of fuel depends on the type of vehicle you're using and current gas prices at the pump. To get a clear estimate of your fuel cost, you can use online calculators such as Fuel Economy Calculator or the Fuel Cost Calculator. Based on current gas prices of $2.70 per gallon, the cost of fuel on these routes will be:

  • Route 1: $50.44
  • Route 2: $52.52
  • Route 3: $79.72
  • Route 4: $92.72

As you can see, Route 4 is the most expensive due to its length.

Meals and Snacks

Don't forget to factor in meals and snacks for the trip. For convenience, fast food chains such as McDonald's, Burger King, and Subway are widely available on major highways. Assuming three meals, snacks, and drinks, an average cost for Route 1 is $45.00, Route 2 is $52.50, Route 3 is $65.00, and Route 4 is $80.00.

Tolls

Tolls are another expense you'll need to factor in when calculating the cost of the trip. Tolls vary depending on your route, with some paths charging higher tolls than others. After researching and obtaining reliable information, the toll cost for these routes are as follows:

  • Route 1: $0.00
  • Route 2: $4.00
  • Route 3: $8.75
  • Route 4: $36.00

The toll rate for Route 4 is notably higher than the other routes because it requires cross-state driving.

After factoring in fuel, food, and toll costs, the recommended route to take is Route 1. It offers the shortest possible distance and, therefore, the lowest possible costs. The trip is shorter, fuel costs are lower, and no toll charges incurred.

Conclusion

Travel from Carrboro, North Carolina to Atlanta, Georgia is relatively long. The decision on which route to take ultimately depends on your preferences, budget, and the amount of time you have to spare. To minimize your costs, choose Route 1, which offers the shortest distance and no tolls to worry about. Expect to spend approximately $100 for fuel, meals, and tolls. So buckle up, get some snacks for the ride, and be prepared to enjoy roughly a 5-6 hour drive.