Cost of a Road Trip from Derry, New Hampshire to Denville, New Jersey: An In-Depth Analysis

Planning a road trip from Derry, New Hampshire, to Denville, New Jersey, can be an exciting adventure. However, understanding the costs associated with the journey is crucial. This article outlines different routes, calculates potential expenses based on current gas prices, and provides recommendations for the best path to take.

Overview of the Trip

Derry, located in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, is about 225 miles from Denville, situated in Morris County, New Jersey. The trip usually takes around four hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions. Here, we will examine the available routes, the fuel costs, and additional expenses you may encounter along the way.

Gas Prices and Vehicle Efficiency

Before diving into the specific routes, it's essential to discuss current gas prices. As of October 2023, the average gas price in New Hampshire is approximately $3.40 per gallon. In New Jersey, the average gas price hovers around $3.30 per gallon. For this analysis, we'll consider a fuel-efficient vehicle that gets around 25 miles per gallon (MPG).

Using these figures, we can calculate the fuel expenses as follows:

Total distance: 225 miles
Fuel efficiency: 25 MPG
Gas price: $3.40

The fuel cost can be calculated using the formula:

[ \text = \frac{\text}{\text} = \frac{225}{25} = 9 \text ]

Now, calculating the cost:

[ \text = \text \times \text = 9 \text \times 3.40 = $30.60 ]

This formula serves as a baseline for evaluating trip costs.

Possible Routes

When traveling from Derry, NH, to Denville, NJ, there are three primary routes to consider: Route 93 to Route 95, Route 3 to Route 80, and Route 95 to Route 287. We will analyze each one based on distance, travel time, and cost.

Route 1: Route 93 to Route 95

Distance: Approximately 225 miles
Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours
Route Description:
- Depart from Derry, taking I-93 South.
- Merge onto I-95 South near Salem, NH.
- Continue on I-95 South, which connects to the New Jersey Turnpike.

Costs

Fuel Cost: $30.60 (as calculated above)
Tolls: Approximately $10.00 (estimated based on turnpike tolls)

Total Cost: $40.60

Route 2: Route 3 to Route 80

Distance: Approximately 230 miles
Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Route Description:
- Start on Route 3 South from Derry.
- Merge onto I-80 West.
- Follow I-80 into New Jersey and take the local routes to Denville.

Costs

Fuel Cost: Based on distance, we will calculate the fuel cost as follows: [ \text = \frac{230}{25} = 9.2 \text ] [ \text = 9.2 \times 3.40 = $31.28 ]
Tolls: Approximately $8.00

Total Cost: $39.28

Route 3: Route 95 to Route 287

Distance: Approximately 240 miles
Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Route Description:
- Take I-95 South from Derry.
- Connect to I-287 South.
- Use local routes to reach Denville.

Costs

Fuel Cost: Using the same calculation for distance: [ \text = \frac{240}{25} = 9.6 \text ] [ \text = 9.6 \times 3.40 = $32.64 ]
Tolls: Approximately $12.00

Total Cost: $44.64

Summary of Costs and Route Recommendations

Now that we have calculated the costs based on three different routes, we can summarize the findings:

Route	Distance (miles)	Estimated Time	Fuel Cost	Tolls	Total Cost
Route 1: I-93 to I-95	225	4 hours	$30.60	$10.00	$40.60
Route 2: Route 3 to Route 80	230	4 hours 15 mins	$31.28	$8.00	$39.28
Route 3: I-95 to I-287	240	4 hours 30 mins	$32.64	$12.00	$44.64

Based on the analysis, Route 2 (Route 3 to Route 80) emerges as the most cost-effective route, totaling $39.28. It also offers a reasonable travel time of 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Conclusion

The trip from Derry, New Hampshire, to Denville, New Jersey, can be both enjoyable and economical if you choose your route wisely. After considering various options, Route 2 offers the lowest cost while maintaining a relatively quick travel time. You can expect to spend roughly $39 for fuel and tolls, making it a solid choice for your journey. Enjoy your road trip!