The Cost of a Trip Between Bloomfield, Connecticut and Hamden, Connecticut: A Comparison of Routes Based on Gas Prices
When planning a trip between Bloomfield and Hamden, Connecticut, one of the primary considerations is the cost of gas. Gas prices can vary depending on the time of year, the day of the week, and the location. However, by taking into account the possible routes and their respective gas costs, travelers can save money. This article provides information on the different routes, highlighting the cost and distance of each one, and recommends the best route based on current gas prices.
Possible Routes
There are three possible routes between Bloomfield and Hamden: Route 9 South, I-91 South, and I-84 West. To determine the cheapest option, we need to consider the distance of each route and the gas prices at each stop along the way.
Route 9 South
Route 9 South is the shortest route, but it is also the least direct. The route is approximately 46 miles, and there are two main stops along the way in Hartford: the Shell station on Main Street and the Valero station on Capitol Avenue. The current gas prices at these stations are as follows:
- Shell: $2.89 per gallon
- Valero: $2.69 per gallon
If we assume an average car mileage of 25 miles per gallon, the total cost of gas for this route, including stops, is as follows:
- Shell: $11.56
- Valero: $10.76
I-91 South
I-91 South is the most direct route, but it is also the longest. The route is approximately 53 miles, and there are four main stops along the way in Rocky Hill: the Speedway on Cromwell Ave, the Mobil on West St, the Sunoco on Dividend Rd, and the Gulf on Silas Deane Hwy. The current gas prices at these stations are as follows:
- Speedway: $2.69 per gallon
- Mobil: $2.89 per gallon
- Sunoco: $2.97 per gallon
- Gulf: $2.79 per gallon
Using the same assumption of an average car mileage of 25 miles per gallon, the total cost of gas for this route, including stops, is as follows:
- Speedway: $14.01
- Mobil: $15.05
- Sunoco: $15.43
- Gulf: $14.53
I-84 West
I-84 West is a combination of the two previous routes, but it is longer than Route 9 and more direct than I-91. The route is approximately 50 miles, and there are three main stops along the way in West Hartford: the Mobil on Prospect Ave, the Gulf on New Park Ave, and the Shell on New Britain Ave. The current gas prices at these stations are as follows:
- Mobil: $2.97 per gallon
- Gulf: $2.89 per gallon
- Shell: $2.79 per gallon
Using the same assumption of an average car mileage of 25 miles per gallon, the total cost of gas for this route, including stops, is as follows:
- Mobil: $14.89
- Gulf: $14.53
- Shell: $14.01
Recommended Route
Based on the current gas prices, the cheapest route between Bloomfield and Hamden is Route 9 South, with Valero being the cheapest gas station along the way. Even though it is not the most direct route, the difference in distance is not significant enough to offset the extra cost of gas from the other options. Additionally, Route 9 South has fewer stops along the way, which means less time spent on the road and less wear and tear on the car.
Conclusion
When planning a trip between Bloomfield and Hamden, it is critical to consider gas prices and the different routes available. By taking the shortest or most direct route, travelers could pay more in gas than they would on a longer but cheaper alternative. The cheapest option based on current gas prices is Route 9 South, with stops at Valero for the best gas prices. The total cost of gas for this route, including stops, ranges from $10.76 to $11.56. Based on the traffic conditions, it is estimated that the trip will take approximately one hour from Bloomfield to Hamden.