The Cost of a Trip between Blairsville and Lancaster: Navigating Pennsylvania's Highways

If you're planning a trip between Blairsville and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, you might be wondering what the cost will be. With gas prices fluctuating and tolls to consider, it can be tough to estimate the overall cost of a trip. In this article, we'll break down the different routes you might take between Blairsville and Lancaster, and highlight the cost and distance of each one. We'll also recommend the best route to take, based on affordability and convenience.

Route 1: PA-56 E and PA Turnpike

The most direct route between Blairsville and Lancaster is taking PA-56 E and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route is just over 150 miles long, and will take approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes without traffic. The entire route is toll-based, which means you'll need to factor in the cost of tolls. Pricing varies depending on the time of day and type of vehicle you're driving.

To estimate the cost of tolls, we consulted the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's Toll Calculator. For an average passenger car, the cost of tolls for this route is around $23.20 (assuming E-ZPass). However, the actual cost could be higher or lower depending on your circumstances.

When you factor in the cost of gas, the total cost of this route will depend on your vehicle's fuel efficiency. According to GasBuddy.com, a typical passenger car getting 25 miles per gallon (mpg) would use just under 6 gallons of gas for this trip. If gas costs around $2.50 per gallon, that's an additional $15 in gas expenses.

Overall, the total cost of this route (assuming gas is priced at $2.50 per gallon) would be around $38.20.

Route 2: US-22 W and PA Turnpike

Another option for getting to Lancaster from Blairsville is to take US-22 W and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This route is slightly longer than the first, at just over 160 miles. However, it could be a good alternative if you want to avoid some of the toll expenses on PA-56 E.

This route is also toll-based, but because it utilizes a smaller portion of the turnpike, the cost of tolls is lower than the first route. According to the Toll Calculator, the cost of tolls for this route is around $13.60 (assuming E-ZPass and an average passenger car). That's a savings of almost $10 compared to Route 1.

Gas expenses will be similar for this route, assuming you're getting around 25 mpg. The additional gas cost for this trip will be around $15, making the total cost for this route (excluding food and lodging) around $28.60.

Route 3: US-422 E, I-76 E, and US-30 E

A third option for getting to Lancaster from Blairsville is to take US-422 E, I-76 E, and US-30 E. This route is longer than the other two, at just over 230 miles. However, it might be a good option if you want to see some different scenery or are looking for a way to avoid tolls altogether.

This route does not utilize the Pennsylvania Turnpike, meaning there are no tolls to factor in. However, the total gas expenses for this route will be higher due to the increased distance. Assuming you're getting around 25 mpg, you'll use approximately 9.2 gallons of gas for this trip. At $2.50 per gallon, that's an additional $23 in gas expenses.

The total cost for this route (again, excluding food and lodging) is around $23 in gas expenses.

Conclusion: Best Route for Cost and Convenience

Based on the information we've presented, the best route for cost and convenience between Blairsville and Lancaster is Route 2: US-22 W and PA Turnpike. This route is slightly longer than Route 1, but saves you nearly $10 in toll expenses. It is also more direct than Route 3, which means you'll spend less time on the road.

Assuming gas is priced at $2.50 per gallon, the total cost for this route will be around $28.60 for gas and toll expenses (excluding food and lodging). Keep in mind that these estimates are just that; the actual cost of your trip could vary depending on a variety of factors. However, using these numbers as a guideline should help you plan a budget-friendly trip between Blairsville and Lancaster.