The Cost of Traveling Between Blue Hill, Maine, and Waterbury, Vermont

Driving from Blue Hill, Maine to Waterbury, Vermont can be a fun and scenic experience. However, before embarking on this journey, it's essential to consider the costs involved. The cost of a trip between these two cities can be affected by several factors, including the route you choose, the type of vehicle you own, and gas prices. In this article, we'll explore the different routes you can take from Blue Hill to Waterbury and highlight the cost and distances involved in each one.

The Route Options

There are several routes you can take from Blue Hill to Waterbury, each with its own set of cons and pros. Here are the three most common routes:

Route 1: I-95 S and I-91 N

This is the most direct route to Waterbury if you're traveling from Blue Hill. It takes you through several major cities, including Boston and Springfield, before you finally arrive at your destination. The distance covered along this route is approximately 381 miles, and the estimated driving time is about 7 hours and 28 minutes.

Route 2: I-95 S, I-495, and I-93 N

Another option is to take I-95 south until you reach I-495, which will take you through several smaller cities and towns before ultimately joining I-93 N. This route is longer than Route 1, covering approximately 415 miles, and the estimated driving time is about 7 hours and 50 minutes.

Route 3: ME-9 W and US-2 W

If you prefer a more scenic route, you can take ME-9 W all the way to US-2 W. This route will take you through several small towns and cities, including Augusta and Bangor. The distance covered along this route is approximately 424 miles, and the estimated driving time is about 9 hours.

The Cost of Each Route

There are different costs involved in every route, including gas expenses, tolls, and meals. Here's a breakdown of the estimated costs of driving from Blue Hill, Maine, to Waterbury, Vermont, based on each of the routes mentioned earlier.

Route 1: I-95 S and I-91 N

Assuming you have a car that gets 25 miles per gallon, the cost of gas for this route will be approximately $70.35. There are also tolls along this route that will cost around $32.00. Given the distance and amount of time traveling, grabbing a few meals would be necessary, increasing the total cost by an additional $60.00. Thus, the total cost of travel between Blue Hill, Maine, and Waterbury, Vermont, for this route is around $162.35.

Route 2: I-95 S, I-495, and I-93 N

On this route, the estimated gas cost for cars getting 25 miles per gallon is around $76.11 if you live around Blue Hill, Maine. Tolls will add about $31.00 to the total cost of this trip. Like Route 1, the estimated cost of meals along this route is around $60.00. Therefore, the total cost for this route is approximately $167.11.

Route 3: ME-9 W and US-2 W

Taking this scenic route means an estimated gas cost of $78.84 if driving a car that gets 25 miles per gallon. The toll fees are entirely avoided with this route, meaning the total price remains at approximately $78.84. Meals are still needed, however, increasing the total cost by an additional $60.00 to $138.84.

The Best Route

After considering the costs and distances for three different routes, it's clear that Route 3 is the most economical and scenic option, whereas Route 1 is the fastest. Route 2 is somewhere in-between regarding speed and cost. Admittedly, though, some travelers might consider sacrificing some scenic views to reduce the trip time and prefer Route 1 or Route 2.

Conclusion

Driving from Blue Hill, Maine, to Waterbury, Vermont, can be an enjoyable experience, but, ultimately, it's essential to consider the costs involved. Different routes require different expenses in terms of gas, tolls, and meal costs, which might feel like a burden if not adequately calculated. However, Route 3 seems to be the best option as it offers scenic views, and even though the travel time is the longest, the cost is reasonable. I would recommend this route for anyone traveling from Blue Hill, Maine, to Waterbury, Vermont, who is in no hurry.