Road Trip: The Cost of Driving from Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Jefferson Township, New Jersey

Are you planning a road trip from Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Jefferson Township, New Jersey? Whether you're visiting family, going on vacation, or relocating, it's important to know the cost of driving. In this blog post, we'll explore the different routes you can take and the associated costs based on current gas prices.

Route 1: I-85 N and I-95 N (593 miles, 9 hours 40 minutes)

This is the most direct route from Chapel Hill to Jefferson Township. You'll take I-85 N to Richmond, VA, then switch to I-95 N towards Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD before exiting onto U.S. 1 N. This route takes approximately 9 hours and 40 minutes, covering a distance of 593 miles.

Gas price: As of September 2021, the average gas price in North Carolina is $2.90/gallon. At an average fuel efficiency of 25 mpg, you'll use about 24 gallons of gas for this trip, costing you approximately $70.

Toll price: There are several tolls along this route, which can add up quickly. For example, the toll for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is $18.00. In total, you can expect to spend between $30-50 on tolls, depending on which toll roads you take.

Total Cost: Gas ($70) + Tolls ($30-50) = $100-$120

Route 2: I-40 E and I-81 N (703 miles, 11 hours 30 minutes)

This route takes a more inland path through the Appalachian Mountains. You'll take I-40 E to Knoxville, TN, then switch to I-81 N through Virginia and Pennsylvania before exiting onto U.S. 209 N. This route takes approximately 11 hours and 30 minutes, covering a distance of 703 miles.

Gas price: As of September 2021, the average gas price in North Carolina is $2.90/gallon. At an average fuel efficiency of 25 mpg, you'll use about 28 gallons of gas for this trip, costing you approximately $80.

Toll price: There are fewer tolls along this route, but you'll still encounter some. For example, the toll for the Pennsylvania Turnpike is $55.30 for a full-length trip. In total, you can expect to spend between $30-$70 on tolls, depending on which toll roads you take.

Total Cost: Gas ($80) + Tolls ($30-$70) = $110-$150

Route 3: I-85 N, I-295 N, and NJ-31 N (656 miles, 10 hours 40 minutes)

This route takes you along the coast and through Philadelphia, PA. You'll take I-85 N to Richmond, VA, then switch to I-295 N towards Trenton, NJ before exiting onto NJ-31 N. This route takes approximately 10 hours and 40 minutes, covering a distance of 656 miles.

Gas price: As of September 2021, the average gas price in North Carolina is $2.90/gallon. At an average fuel efficiency of 25 mpg, you'll use about 26 gallons of gas for this trip, costing you approximately $75.

Toll price: There are several tolls along this route, including the Delaware Memorial Bridge, which costs $5.00. In total, you can expect to spend between $20-$40 on tolls, depending on which toll roads you take.

Total Cost: Gas ($75) + Tolls ($20-$40) = $95-$115

Conclusion

Overall, driving from Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Jefferson Township, New Jersey is a long trip that can get expensive with gas and toll costs. Route 1 is the most direct and quickest route, but it also has the highest toll expenses. Route 2 is more inland and has fewer tolls but takes longer. Route 3 takes you along the coast and through Philadelphia, PA and has less tolls costs than Route 1. Choose the route that works best for you based on your budget and travel preferences. Happy travels!