The Cost of a Trip Between Burlington, CT and South Portland, ME: Analyzing Gas Prices and Routes

Are you looking to take a road trip from Burlington, Connecticut to South Portland, Maine? The thought of a long and winding drive through New England is both exciting and enticing, but it is also important to keep in mind the potential costs. In this article, we will analyze the different possible routes and the current gas prices to determine the total cost of your road trip.

Gas Prices

As of July 2021, the average gas price in Connecticut is around $3.15 per gallon. In Maine, the average price is slightly lower, at around $3.07 per gallon. These prices may fluctuate depending on the time of year and other factors, but it gives us a general idea of what to expect.

In terms of mileage per gallon, it largely depends on the type of car you have and how efficiently it runs. However, according to the United States Department of Energy, the average passenger car in the United States gets about 25 miles per gallon.

Route Options

There are several routes you could take from Burlington, Connecticut to South Portland, Maine. Let's take a look at some of the most common ones and estimate the total cost for each route.

Route 1: I-91 N and I-93 N

The quickest and most direct route would be to take I-91 North and then connect to I-93 North, which will take you all the way to Maine. According to Google Maps, this route is approximately 230 miles and takes around 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Based on the average gas prices mentioned earlier and the estimated mileage per gallon, we can calculate the total cost for this route. Assuming your car gets 25 miles per gallon, you would need just under 10 gallons of gas for the entire trip. At $3.15 per gallon, this comes out to a total cost of $31.50.

Route 2: I-91 N, I-89 N, I-93 N

Another option is to take I-91 North, then switch over to I-89 North, which will eventually connect to I-93 North. This route is a bit longer at around 250 miles, but it may offer more scenic views. According to Google Maps, it takes around 4 hours and 45 minutes.

Using the same calculations for gas prices and mileage, we can estimate the total cost for this route. Assuming the same 25 miles per gallon, you would need just over 10 gallons of gas for the entire trip. This comes out to a total cost of $31.65. While this route is a bit longer, the added scenery might make it worth it for some drivers.

Route 3: I-91 N, I-89 N, I-93 N, and NH-16 N

A third possible option is to follow the same route as above but then connect to NH-16 North, which will take you straight to Maine. This route is around 270 miles and takes around 5 hours and 15 minutes according to Google Maps.

Again, we can calculate the total gas cost using the same mileage and prices as before. Assuming the same 25 miles per gallon, you would need just over 10.5 gallons of gas for the entire trip. This comes out to a total cost of $33.08.

Recommendation

Based on the routes and estimated costs, it seems that Route 1 is the most efficient and cost-effective way to get from Burlington, Connecticut to South Portland, Maine. While Routes 2 and 3 offer more scenic views, they are longer and slightly more expensive in terms of gas costs.

Of course, there are also other factors to consider when choosing a route, such as tolls, traffic, and personal preferences. However, based solely on gas prices and distance, Route 1 is the best option.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a road trip from Burlington, Connecticut to South Portland, Maine can be a fun and exciting way to experience all that New England has to offer. Based on our calculations using current gas prices, Route 1 is the most cost-effective route to take. Regardless of which route you choose, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip!