The Cost of a Trip Between Butler Township, Pennsylvania and Tobyhanna Township, Pennsylvania
With gas prices constantly fluctuating, it can be hard to calculate the cost of a road trip. If you're planning to travel from Butler Township, Pennsylvania, to Tobyhanna Township, Pennsylvania, there are different routes you can take, each with a different cost. In this article, we'll explore the different routes and their cost, including what influences these expenses, so you can choose the best one.
Routes to Take
There are several routes to take when you're driving from Butler Township to Tobyhanna Township, but three stand out as the most common.
Route 1: via I-80 E and PA-115 S
Taking this route will cover a total distance of 49.1 miles and last for approximately 1 hour. Here's the breakdown of the expenses you'll incur:
Gas: $6.07 (assumed price per gallon of gas in PA as of September 2021 is $3.14 as reported by AAA gas price site) and assuming an average fuel efficiency of 26 mpg for the car, which results in the use of around 1.89 gallons of gas.
Toll fees: including West End $1.70 and Blakeslee $2, for a total of $3.70.
So the estimated cost for this route is $9.77.
Route 2: via I-80 E and PA-940 E
Driving through this route will cover a distance of 55.5 miles and last around 1 hour and 8 minutes. Here's the breakdown of expenses you'll incur:
Gas: $5.75 (based on the same assumptions used for Route 1).
Toll fees: West End $1.70, Hickory Run $1.50, and Pocono $1.50, amounting to a total of $4.70.
The estimated cost for this route is $10.45.
Route 3: via I-476 N and I-80 E
This route has the longest total distance, covering 65.5 miles, and lasts around 1 hour and 13 minutes. Here's the breakdown of the expenses you'll incur:
Gas: $7.13 (based on the same assumptions used for Route 1 and 2).
Toll fees: The toll fees for this route are significantly higher. The ticket price for the Clarks Summit toll plaza is $1.60, and the cash price is $2.60. The next toll plaza is the Wyoming Valley at a ticket price of $1.70 and cash price of $2.80. The Marshalls Creek exit is another $2, and the total of these toll fees amounts to $10.20.
The estimated cost for this route is $17.33.
Choosing the Best Route
While Route 1 is the shortest, it's only about 6 miles less than Route 2, which might not make a significant difference in terms of money saved or time. Route 2 has a few toll fees that add up, but the highway is wider, and the driving conditions are better. Route 3 is the longest of all the routes and has the most expensive toll fees. While it's longer, it's not necessarily faster, and in terms of time and cost, it's not the best option.
If your priority is the shortest distance and time saved, Route 1 is the way to go. It also has the lowest estimated cost. However, if comfort and better driving conditions are crucial to you, then Route 2 is a better alternative despite the slight difference in total cost when compared to Route 1.
Conclusion
Driving from Butler Township, Pennsylvania, to Tobyhanna Township, Pennsylvania, can be an enjoyable and scenic road trip with the right route selected. Whatever your priority, be it distance or comfort, Route 1 and Route 2 are the best options. Route 3 has the highest toll fees and distance, making it less appealing. Cost and other variables like driving preferences, time of day, etc., play a crucial role in selecting the right route.
In the end, it's essential to remember that all the routes have their advantages and disadvantages. Pick what suits you best, evaluate how much you're willing to pay for the trip, and make sure to have the most epic road trip from Butler Township to Tobyhanna Township.