Driving Cost from Boston, Massachusetts to Anchorage, Alaska

A picture depicting a gas pump

Analyzing the Cost of a Trip between Boston, Massachusetts and Anchorage, Alaska

As the world starts to open up again, we are excited to travel once again. The United States is home to several beautiful destinations that are a must-visit, including Boston, Massachusetts, and Anchorage, Alaska. It is easy to access both of these locations via air or road. This article reviews the available modes of transportation and the cost of the trip between Boston and Anchorage during the current times based on gas prices.

Possible Routes

There are two main possible ways to access Anchorage from Boston - driving or flying.

Flying

Flying is the most comfortable and fastest way to access Anchorage from Boston, with the journey lasting around 11 hours. Several airlines operate regularly from Boston Logan International Airport to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. However, the cost of flights varies, depending on the season, route, time of booking, and airline.

Based on research conducted, roundtrip flights via Delta Airlines for four weeks in September cost around $532 on average. However, this cost does not take into account any additional fees such as checked baggage, change fees, or seat selection. Prices may vary during peak seasons when demand is high.

Driving

If you are looking for an adventurous journey with beautiful sceneries across the United States, consider driving from Boston to Anchorage. The journey involves a long drive of approximately 5000 miles or 8046.72 kilometers through various highways and roads. Two routes are possible when driving from Boston to Anchorage, and they are:

The Northern Route

This route involves traveling from Boston to Anchorage via the northern states, and takes approximately 110 hours, depending on the number of stops made along the way. The distance covered is about 5,275 miles. The route goes through the following states:

  • Massachusetts
  • Vermont
  • New York
  • Ontario
  • Manitoba
  • Saskatchewan
  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
  • Alaska

The Southern Route

Another route starts from Boston, going through the Southern States before heading to Anchorage. The journey is approximately 6,513 miles long and will take around 120 hours. The entire journey will involve passing through the following states, among others:

  • Massachusetts
  • Connecticut
  • Pennsylvania
  • Ohio
  • Indiana
  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • Nebraska
  • South Dakota
  • Wyoming
  • Montana
  • Idaho
  • Washington
  • British Columbia
  • Alaska

When it comes to the cost of driving to Anchorage from Boston, a few things come into play, including gas prices, car rental fees, accommodation, meals, and car maintenance.

Cost Analysis

Here is a breakdown of the costs for both driving routes and air travel.

Flying

Based on the aforementioned Delta Airlines, an economy round trip with 1 stop layover at Seattle Airport costs about $532 on average during September. However, the prices may fluctuate and increase during peak seasons.

Driving

For the purpose of this article, an analysis was conducted using a 2021 Honda Accord 2.0T for both driving routes. The Honda Accord has an average gas mileage of 26mpg and takes premium gas, which currently costs about $2.50 per gallon in the United States.

Northern Route

The Northern Route costs approximately $1,602 in gas alone, with 5,275 miles total. Suppose we assume the price of gas remains the same at $2.50 per gallon. In that case, however, the actual cost may fluctuate depending on gas prices in different states and Canadian provinces, which can either increase or decrease the final cost of the trip.

Other costs to consider include:

  • Car rental fees
    • Car rentals for four weeks cost an average of $1500
  • Accommodation
    • During the four weeks of the road trip, it is reasonable to spend three nights in a hotel room each week and an average of $100 a night. That would translate to $1200 in accommodations. However, you could save money by camping or using couch surfing services.
  • Meals
    • For food expenses, if we assume you spend $50 a day on food, that would cost $2800 in total.
  • Miscellaneous expenses
    • The cost of parking, roadside assistance, and other unexpected costs are estimated at $500.

Summarily, the total cost of taking the Northern Route is approximately $6,602.

Southern Route

The Southern Route requires driving approximately 6,513 miles. The cost, including gas, is estimated to be $1,983 at $2.50 per gallon. This varies depending on gas prices along the route.

Other expenses would include:

  • Car rental fees
    • A rental for four weeks costs around $1500.
  • Accommodation
    • During the four weeks, assuming you spend three nights in a hotel each week and pay $100 per night, the cost would be $1200 in total. Alternatively, you could save money by camping or using couch-surfing services.
  • Meals
    • Food expenses are expected to be around $50 each day, which brings the cost to $2800.
  • Miscellaneous expenses
    • Parking, roadside assistance, and other costs are estimated at $500.

The approximate cost of taking the Southern Route is, therefore, around $7,983.

Recommendations

Based on the cost breakdown for both driving routes and the air travel options reviewed within this article, we recommend that flying is the most cost-effective and efficient way to get to Anchorage from Boston.

Although driving might seem like an adventure and memorable experience, it is more expensive and time-consuming. The cost of gas and other expenses involved in the journey is not comparable to the cost of a roundtrip flight, which may be accessible for budget-friendly options during certain seasons.

If you are interested in driving, taking the Northern Route may save you approximately $1,380 compared to the Southern Route. Nonetheless, we recommend choosing the flying option, as it saves you time, costs, and is a more comfortable way to access Anchorage.

Conclusion

Traveling from Boston to Anchorage offers the best of both worlds - city life and the beauty of one of America's most spectacular destinations. Fly in and out to minimize overall costs and to save time. However, driving can be an adventure if you have the time and resources to embark on a long journey across North America. Although both routes offer indulgent scenic views, flying saves you time and money, which is great if you are on a budget. Regardless of your choice, all modes of transport offer a fantastic way of experiencing what America has to offer.