"The Cost-Effective Route: A Guide from Bethel, Maine to Thornton, New Hampshire"

Traveling between Bethel, Maine, and Thornton, New Hampshire, can be a scenic road trip with beautiful mountain views and quiet countryside landscapes. This region is noted for its multitude of recreational activities, historic sites, and authentic New England charm. When selecting a travel route, there are multiple options available to get to your destination, and the cost can vary depending on the distance traveled, the type of vehicle used, and gas prices.

Route 1 - Through Twin Mountain, NH

One possible route is to start in Bethel, Maine, and travel through the town of Whitefield, New Hampshire, then continue through Twin Mountain to Thornton, New Hampshire. This route is approximately 62 miles long and will take approximately ninety minutes to complete. Once in Whitefield, you can travel through the Franconia Notch State Park, famous for its natural beauty and scenic drives. Along the way, you can stop at historic landmarks and recreational areas like the Mount Washington Observatory Weather Discovery Center, the Gertrude Jekyll Garden, and the White Mountain National Forest.

For this route, the estimated fuel cost is around $15.80 for a sedan, using current gas prices of $2.55/gallon and calculating 27 miles per gallon.

Route 2 - Through Jackson, NH

Another option to travel from Bethel to Thornton is to pass through the beautiful town of Jackson, New Hampshire. Beginning in Bethel, travel south on Route 2 and pass through some southern Maine towns like Rumford and Dixfield. At Bethel, continue on US 2 until Fryeburg. Proceed through Fryeburg, and take NH 16 South to North Conway, NH. Upon reaching North Conway, travel on Route 16A or Route 302 East, both of which go through Jackson. Finally, take NH Route 153 (Madison Road) into Thornton. This route is approximately 78 miles long and will take almost two hours, depending on traffic and sightseeing stops.

For this route, fuel cost is approximately $20.55 for a sedan, using current gas prices of $2.55/gallon, and calculating 27 miles per gallon.

Route 3 - Through Gorham, NH

A third option for an eastward trip from Bethel, Maine, is to travel through the western Maine town of Rumford, and head North. Continue through the quaint Western Maine towns of Mexico and Dixfield, and connect with Route 2, traveling eastward through the picturesque river valleys of Bethel, the Mahoosuc region, passing through the White Mountains of Maine and New Hampshire. Once in Gorham, NH, take NH Route 16 South, the scenic White Mountain Trail, and reach Thornton, NH. This route is about 89 miles long and would take roughly 135 minutes to reach the destination.

The estimated fuel cost for this route is $24.10 for a sedan, using current gas prices of $2.55/gallon, and computing an average of 27 miles per gallon efficiency.

The Best Route

In conclusion, which is the best route?

The least expensive route is Route 1, which travels through Twin Mountain, taking about 90 minutes to reach Thornton, New Hampshire. For travelers who want to spend more time sightseeing, Route 2 is preferable as it passes through a region famous for its natural beauty and scenic drives. At the same time, it comes with a bit higher travel cost at around $20.55. The longest route is Route 3, which offers the most extensive scenic drives and picturesque views but comes at a bit of a premium. In any case, the best route for a budget-conscious traveler would be Route 1, which offers the fastest travel time and lowest cost.

Regardless of which route chosen from Bethel, Maine, to Thornton, New Hampshire, the combination of natural scenery, historic sites, and recreational activities in the region will make it an unforgettable road trip. The trip will likely take at least 90 minutes for a 62-mile drive to two hours for an 80-mile trip.