The Current Cost of Driving from Bethel, Maine to Conway, New Hampshire

If you're planning a road trip from Bethel, Maine to Conway, New Hampshire, you're probably wondering how much it will cost you in gas and tolls. Below are a few different route options to help you figure out which one will be the most cost-effective for your trip.

Route 1: Through the White Mountains National Forest

This route takes you through the scenic White Mountains National Forest. You'll travel on Route 2 and Route 302, passing through Gorham and Twin Mountain. The distance for this route is approximately 56 miles and the estimated driving time is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

As of August 2021, the average gas price for regular unleaded gasoline in Maine is about $3.00 per gallon and in New Hampshire, it's about $3.20 per gallon. Based on these prices, you can expect to pay around $9.13 in gas roundtrip for this route.

There are no tolls on this route, making it the most cost-effective choice.

Route 2: Through Fryeburg, Maine

This route takes you through the town of Fryeburg, Maine before crossing the border into New Hampshire. You'll travel on Route 2 and then turn onto Route 153, before getting onto Route 302. The distance is approximately 46 miles and the estimated driving time is about 1 hour.

Based on the same gas prices mentioned earlier, you can expect to pay around $7.00 in gas roundtrip for this route.

There are no tolls on this route, making it another cost-effective choice.

Route 3: Through the Maine Turnpike and Conway Scenic Railroad

This route takes you on the Maine Turnpike/I-95 and then onto Route 16, before turning onto Route 302. This route will take you through the town of North Conway, where you can stop and take a ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad. The distance is approximately 61 miles and the estimated driving time is about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Based on the same gas prices mentioned earlier, you can expect to pay around $11.32 in gas roundtrip for this route.

There are also tolls on this route. According to the Maine Turnpike Authority website, as of August 2021, the cost for a passenger car to travel from York, Maine to New Hampshire is $3.25. So with four tolls total, you can expect to pay an additional $13.00 in tolls roundtrip for this route.

Conclusion

When deciding which route to take from Bethel, Maine to Conway, New Hampshire, it's important to consider the distance, time, gas prices, and tolls. Route 1 and Route 2 are the most cost-effective choices, with no tolls. Route 3 is a bit more expensive due to the tolls, but it may be worth it if you want to ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad.