The Cost of a Road Trip from Burlington, Vermont to Providence, Rhode Island
If you plan on taking a road trip from Burlington, Vermont to Providence, Rhode Island, you're in for an adventure! You'll travel through beautiful New England scenery and enjoy the different attractions located on the way. But before packing your bags, you need to plan your route and consider the cost of gas, tolls, and other expenses along the way. In this article, we'll go through the different routes and calculate the cost of your Burlington to Providence road trip so you can be prepared for the journey.
Possible Routes and Their Distance
Route 1: The Coastal Route
The first and most straightforward route is taking the coastal route, which is approximately 277 miles long. You'll follow I-89 from Burlington to Concord, then merge onto I-93 towards Boston. Then, you take I-95 North towards Providence. This route takes approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes without stopping.
Route 2: The Mountain Route
The next option is the mountain route, which is approximately 265 miles long. You'll start by taking Route 100 from Burlington and continue on Route 4 until it merges with I-89. Then, you'll take I-91 South towards Hartford, and connect to I-84 towards Providence. After that, you'll take I-95 South towards the city center. This route takes about 5 hours and 40 minutes without stopping.
Route 3: The Scenic Route
The final route, and likely the longest, is taking the scenic route. You'll start by taking Route 100 from Burlington and continue towards Route 9 East towards Brattleboro. Then, you'll connect to Route 5 South towards North Haven and merge into I-91 towards Hartford. Finally, you'll connect to I-84 towards Providence and then take I-95 South towards the city center. This route is approximately 340 miles long and takes about 6 hours and 40 minutes without stopping.
Cost of the Road Trip
To calculate the cost of the road trip between Burlington and Providence, we'll first need to consider the gas prices. According to AAA, the average gas price in Vermont is $2.62 per gallon, while in Rhode Island, the average is $2.72 per gallon. For our calculation purposes, we'll assume that your car gets an average of 25 miles per gallon.
Route 1: The Coastal Route
Based on the above gas prices and the distance of 277 miles, the total cost of gas for this route would be approximately $31.97. There are two tolls along this route, the first being a $1.00 toll at the New Hampshire border and the second one is $8.00 at the Massachusetts border, making a total of $9.00 in tolls. You can also budget approximately $16.50 for snacks, coffee, and other incidentals during the trip. So in total, the cost of the road trip from Burlington to Providence on this route would be around $57.47.
Route 2: The Mountain Route
On this route, gas at the current prices would cost approximately $30.60 for the 265-mile trip. There are three tolls along this route, the first one being $3.00 at the New Hampshire border, followed by a $1.00 toll at the Massachusetts border, and finally a $7.90 toll at the Stafford Springs, CT. We'll add an extra $16.50 for incidentals, making the total cost for this route around $59.00.
Route 3: The Scenic Route
This is the longest route, which is approximately 340 miles long. The gas cost for this route would be around $39.28. There are two tolls on this route, the first one being a $5.00 toll at the Connecticut River bridge and the second being a $3.50 toll at the Mass Turnpike. We'll add in the $16.50 for incidentals, making the total cost for this route around $64.28.
Which Route is Best?
When choosing the best route for your road trip between Burlington and Providence, it's important to consider several factors, such as distance, time, cost, and scenic views.
If you're looking for the shortest route, the Coastal route is the best option, as it takes around 5 hours and 10 minutes. It's also the cheapest option, with a total cost of around $57.47.
If you want a balance between distance and scenic views, the Mountain route will be the right choice. This route takes around 5 hours and 40 minutes and costs around $59.00.
Lastly, if you want to take the scenic route despite it being the longest, you could choose Route 3. This route is more relaxing than other routes and takes around 6 hours and 40 minutes, with a total cost of $64.28.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a road trip from Burlington, Vermont to Providence, Rhode Island can be a great adventure. The route you choose will depend on your priorities, whether it's distance, time, or scenic views. It's always essential to plan your trip ahead, including the route, the cost, and any other necessary expenses such as lodging, food, and activities. Whichever route you choose, you'll be able to enjoy the beautiful New England scenery, make lasting memories, and discover new things along the way.