The Cost of a Trip between Bedford, New Hampshire and Wenham, Massachusetts: Navigating Gas Prices

Introduction

Traveling between two cities can be an exciting adventure, but it can also be quite expensive, especially with today’s unpredictable gas prices. If you’re planning a road trip from Bedford, New Hampshire to Wenham, Massachusetts, you might be wondering what the most economical route is. This article will break down the different possible routes, how much they will cost based on current gas prices, and provide a recommendation on the best route to take.

Possible Routes

Route 1: I-95 South

The quickest and most direct route from Bedford to Wenham is taking I-95 South. This route is approximately 55 miles long and would take just over an hour to complete without any traffic. However, it is important to note that this route will have tolls.

The cost of tolls for a one-way trip on I-95 South from Bedford to Wenham is approximately $7.20. Additionally, based on the current gas prices in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, it would cost about $7.70 in gas roundtrip for an average vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon (based on gas prices as of May 2021).

Therefore, the total cost for a round trip using I-95 South would be around $15.90.

Route 2: Route 101 East and I-95 South

Another option is taking Route 101 East and then merging onto I-95 South. This route is just slightly longer at approximately 60 miles, but it could be a good alternative if you wanted to avoid tolls or if traffic on I-95 is particularly heavy.

Without traffic, this route would take around an hour and fifteen minutes. Since there are no tolls on Route 101, the cost in tolls would be zero. However, based on the current gas prices in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, it would cost about $8.40 in gas roundtrip for an average vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon.

Therefore, the total cost for a round trip using Route 101 East and I-95 South would be around $8.40.

Route 3: Route 4 East and I-95 South

A third option is taking Route 4 East and then merging onto I-95 South. This route is the longest of the three at approximately 75 miles, but it could be a good alternative if you want to avoid tolls completely or if there is heavy traffic on I-95.

Without traffic, this route would take around an hour and twenty-five minutes. Since there are no tolls on Route 4, the cost in tolls would be zero. However, based on the current gas prices in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, it would cost about $10.20 in gas roundtrip for an average vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon.

Therefore, the total cost for a round trip using Route 4 East and I-95 South would be around $10.20.

Recommendation

After considering all three routes, the most economical option appears to be Route 101 East and I-95 South. While it is only a slightly longer distance than I-95 South and has a longer estimated travel time, the savings on the tolls make up for it. Additionally, since I-95 South can get very heavy traffic during peak travel times, Route 101 can be a good alternate route if you want to avoid any potential traffic delays.

Conclusion

Traveling between Bedford and Wenham can be done in a cost-effective way by following Route 101 East and then merging onto I-95 South. With no tolls and a reasonable estimate for gas prices, this route would cost around $8.40 for a round trip. It is important to keep in mind that gas prices can fluctuate, so be sure to check before you embark on your journey. Overall, this should be a relatively brief and affordable road trip option for those looking to explore the areas surrounding these two beautiful New England towns.