Driving Cost from Cambridge, Massachusetts to City of Albany, New York

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The Cost of a Trip Between Cambridge, Massachusetts and City of Albany, New York

Are you planning a trip from Cambridge, Massachusetts to the City of Albany, New York? If yes, you might be wondering about the cost and the different travel routes available. In this article, we will take a look at the different travel options and the cost of each one of them based on today's gas prices.

Travel Routes

Route 1: I-90 W

One of the most straightforward routes for this trip would be taking I-90 W. This route has a total distance of approximately 170 miles and takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. However, tolls apply on this route, adding extra costs to the trip.

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority is responsible for the tolls on I-90 W. The rates are different depending on the class and weight of the vehicle, but for a regular passenger car, the total cost of tolls for this route is $12.15, according to the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority website.

Route 2: I-90 W and I-787 N

Another option is to take a combination of I-90 W and I-787 N. This route is approximately 175 miles long, and takes around 3 hours of driving time. However, compared to Route 1, this route has no tolls, making it a cheaper option.

Route 3: MA-2 W and NY-2 W

For a more scenic option, you can consider taking the MA-2 W and NY-2 W route. This route is approximately 180 miles long, and takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. As with Route 2, there are no tolls on this route, making it a cheaper option.

Cost Comparison

To do a precise cost comparison, let’s assume that a regular passenger car gets an average of 25 miles per gallon and that the average gas price for today (June 23rd, 2021) in Massachusetts is $2.94 per gallon according to GasBuddy. Using this data, we can calculate that the total cost of gas for the trip:

Route 1: I-90 W

  • Distance: approximately 170 miles.
  • Cost of tolls: $12.15
  • Gas Expenses: $23.52 (170 miles ÷ 25 mpg x $2.94 per gallon)
  • Total Cost: $35.67

Route 2: I-90 W and I-787 N

  • Distance: approximately 175 miles
  • Cost of tolls: $0
  • Gas Expenses: $25.38 (175 miles ÷ 25 mpg x $2.94 per gallon)
  • Total Cost: $25.38

Route 3: MA-2 W and NY-2 W

  • Distance: approximately 180 miles
  • Cost of tolls: $0
  • Gas Expenses: $26.28 (180 miles ÷ 25 mpg x $2.94 per gallon)
  • Total Cost: $26.28

From the calculations above, it is clear that Route 2 is the cheapest option, with Route 3 following closely behind. Route 1, despite being the shortest and the fastest, is the most expensive due to the tolls expenses.

Conclusion

If your primary concern is cost, then the best route to take from Cambridge, Massachusetts to the City of Albany, New York, is Route 2, taking I-90 W and I-787 N. Despite the longer driving time compared to Route 1, the absence of tolls makes it the cheapest option out of the three. Overall, planning for a distance trip encompasses more than just the cost of gas or the route selected - other considerations such as vehicle maintenance, rest stops and health come into play as well. However, the information covered in this article can be used to make an informed decision on the possible routes and expenses associated with a trip from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to the City of Albany, New York.