The Cost of Driving from Allentown to Hershey: The Detailed Breakdown
If you're planning a road trip from Allentown to Hershey, you're in for a treat. These two Pennsylvania towns are rich in history, culture, and entertainment, and the road between them promises scenic views, quaint small towns, and beautiful countryside landscapes. But before you hit the road, you need to know the cost of driving from Allentown to Hershey, so you can budget accordingly and avoid any unpleasant surprises along the way. In this post, we'll break down the cost of driving from Allentown to Hershey based on the different routes you can take.
Option 1: The Most Direct Route
The most direct route from Allentown to Hershey is via I-78 W and I-81 S. The distance between the two towns is roughly 61 miles, and you can complete the trip in about an hour, depending on traffic. Here's how the costs break down for this route:
- Gas Cost: Assuming an average gas price of $2.50 per gallon and a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon, you'll need about 2.4 gallons of gas for the trip. That adds up to $6 in gas costs.
- Toll Cost: You'll have to pay two tolls along the way: the PA Turnpike Toll and the Susquehanna River Bridge Toll. The total toll cost is $8.10.
So, the total cost of driving from Allentown to Hershey via the most direct route is $14.10.
Option 2: The Scenic Route
If you're not in a hurry and want to savor the beauty of Pennsylvania's countryside, you can take the scenic route from Allentown to Hershey via US-22 W and PA-39 W. This route is longer than the most direct one, but it's worth it if you have time to spare. Here's how the costs break down for this route:
- Distance: The distance between Allentown and Hershey via this route is roughly 72 miles, which is about 10 miles longer than the most direct route.
- Time: You can complete the trip in about an hour and a half, depending on traffic.
- Gas Cost: Assuming the same gas price and fuel economy as in the most direct route, you'll need about 2.88 gallons of gas for the trip. That adds up to $7.20 in gas costs.
- Toll Cost: There are no tolls along this route, so you'll save some money here.
So, the total cost of driving from Allentown to Hershey via the scenic route is $7.20.
Option 3: The Affordable Route
If you're on a tight budget and want to save as much money as possible, you can take another route from Allentown to Hershey that's both affordable and efficient. Here's how the costs break down for this route:
- Distance: The distance between Allentown and Hershey via this route is roughly 62 miles, which is similar to the most direct route.
- Time: You can complete the trip in about an hour and 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Gas Cost: Assuming the same gas price and fuel economy as in the most direct route, you'll need about 2.48 gallons of gas for the trip. That adds up to $6.20 in gas costs.
- Toll Cost: There's only one toll along this route: the PA Turnpike Toll. The toll cost is $5.20.
So, the total cost of driving from Allentown to Hershey via the affordable route is $11.40.
Conclusion
As you can see, the cost of driving from Allentown to Hershey varies depending on the route you take and the current gas and toll prices. Whether you opt for the most direct route, the scenic one, or the affordable option, make sure to factor in these costs when planning your trip. Safe travels!