Driving Cost from Bolton, Massachusetts to Bethel, Connecticut

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The Cost of a Road Trip between Bolton, Massachusetts and Bethel, Connecticut

Summer is the perfect season for a road trip, and if you are located in Bolton, Massachusetts or Bethel, Connecticut, you are in for a treat. The two destinations are only 131 miles apart, making it an excellent day trip destination. However, before you start packing up your car, it is essential to factor in some costs. The cost of gas, meals, and lodging can increase your budget significantly. To help you prepare, we have outlined the possible routes and the cost of the trip based on the current gas prices.

Possible Routes

There are three possible routes that you can take to travel from Bolton, Massachusetts to Bethel, Connecticut. Each has its pros and cons, and the deciding factor may be your budget and time.

Route 1: Via I-84 W

The shortest route is via I-84 W. This route is approximately 71.3 miles, and it takes around 1 hour and 16 minutes to travel. The directions are as follows:

  • Head south on Wattaquadock Hill Rd toward Mowers Ln
  • Turn left onto Mowers Ln
  • Turn right onto Harvard Rd
  • Turn left onto MA-117 E
  • Turn left onto MA-495 S
  • Use the right lane to take the I-290 W exit toward Worcester
  • Merge onto I-290 W
  • Use the left lane to merge onto I-90 W/Massachusetts Turnpike toward Springfield
  • Take exit 9 for I-84 toward Hartford/New York City
  • Keep left at the fork to continue on Exit 68, follow signs for CT-195 and merge onto CT-195 N/Storrs Rd
  • Turn right onto S Eagleville Rd
  • Continue onto CT-32 N/CT-44 W/Willimantic Rd
  • Turn left onto CT-44 W
  • Turn right onto CT-74 W/Railroad St
  • Turn left onto CT-58 S
  • Turn right onto CT-302 W
  • Continue onto CT-53 S
  • Turn right onto CT-58 W
  • Turn left onto Plumtrees Rd
  • Turn right onto CT-53 N/Main St
  • Turn right onto CT-302 W/Plumtrees Rd
  • Turn right onto Wooster St, and you will arrive at Bethel, Connecticut

Route 2: Via US-5 S and I-91 S

The second route is via US-5 S and I-91 S. This route is approximately 81.9 miles, and it takes around 1 hour and 34 minutes to travel. The directions are as follows:

  • Head south on Wattaquadock Hill Rd toward Mowers Ln
  • Turn left onto Mowers Ln
  • Turn right onto Harvard Rd
  • Turn left onto MA-117 E
  • Turn right onto MA-495 S
  • Use the right lane to take the I-290 W exit toward Worcester
  • Merge onto I-290 W
  • Use the left lane to merge onto I-90 W/Massachusetts Turnpike toward Springfield
  • Take exit 4 for U.S. 5/MA-10 toward Holyoke/South Hadley
  • Keep right at the fork, follow signs for US-5 S/MA-10 E/Holyoke/S Hadley and merge onto US-5 S
  • Turn left to merge onto I-91 S toward Hartford
  • Keep left to stay on I-91 S
  • Use the right two lanes to take exit 29 for US-5 S/CT-15 W/Charter Oak Bridge toward Newington/New Britain
  • Merge onto CT-15 S/US-5 S
  • Take exit 67 toward I-84 E/Waterbury/New Haven
  • Keep right at the fork, follow signs for I-84 E/Danbury
  • Take exit 1 for CT-34 E toward Downtown/New Haven
  • Continue onto CT-34 E
  • Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto US-1 S/Roosevelt Dr
  • Turn left onto Wildman St
  • Turn right onto Wooster St, and you will arrive at Bethel, Connecticut

Route 3: Via MA-20 W and CT-8 S

The third route follows MA-20 W and CT-8 S. This route is approximately 100.2 miles, and it takes around 1 hour and 51 minutes to travel. The directions are as follows:

  • Head south on Wattaquadock Hill Rd toward Mowers Ln
  • Turn left onto Mowers Ln
  • Turn right onto Harvard Rd
  • Turn left onto MA-117 E
  • Turn right onto MA-495 S
  • Use the right lane to take the I-290 W exit toward Worcester
  • Merge onto I-290 W
  • Use the left lane to merge onto I-90 W/Massachusetts Turnpike toward Springfield
  • Take exit 6 to merge onto I-291 W toward West Springfield/Springfield
  • Use the left lane to merge onto I-91 S toward Hartford
  • Keep left to stay on I-91 S
  • Keep left to continue on CT-3 S
  • Take exit 29 for CT-2 W toward Hartford
  • Keep right at the fork to continue on Exit 1D, follow signs for CT-2 W/Hartford
  • Use the right two lanes to take exit 1B toward CT-20 E/Bradley Int'l Airport/Windsor Locks
  • Continue onto CT-20 W
  • Turn right onto CT-57 N
  • Turn left onto Brass Mill Dam Rd
  • Turn left onto Pinney St
  • Turn right onto Riverside Ave
  • Turn left onto Chase Pkwy
  • Turn right onto Willow St
  • Turn left onto W Main St/CT-68
  • Continue to follow CT-68 W
  • Turn left onto Litchfield Rd
  • Turn right onto CT-254 W
  • Turn left onto CT-8 S
  • Take exit 42 toward CT-118/Harwinton
  • Continue onto Birge Park Rd
  • Turn right onto CT-118 W/Woodruff Ave
  • Turn left onto CT-4 W
  • Turn right onto CT-69 N
  • Turn left onto CT-302 W
  • Continue onto CT-53 S
  • Turn right onto CT-58 W
  • Turn left onto Plumtrees Rd
  • Turn right onto CT-53 N/Main St
  • Turn right onto CT-302 W/Plumtrees Rd
  • Turn right onto Wooster St, and you will arrive at Bethel, Connecticut

Cost of the Trip

The cost of gas is the most important factor that determines the cost of travel. At the time of writing this article, the average gas price in Massachusetts and Connecticut is around $3.00 per gallon. Assuming a 30 miles per gallon rate, the cost of gas for each route is as follows:

Route 1:

  • Total Distance: 71.3 miles
  • Gas Cost: $6.02

Route 2:

  • Total Distance: 81.9 miles
  • Gas Cost: $6.92

Route 3:

  • Total Distance: 100.2 miles
  • Gas Cost: $8.47

Please note that the gas cost may vary depending on the make and model of your car and the current gas prices.

Best Route

Based on the factors of distance, time, and cost, the best route is Route 1. It is the shortest route with a travel time of around 1 hour and 16 minutes. Additionally, the gas cost is the lowest at $6.02. However, it is essential to note that Route 1 has toll roads, so you will need to factor in the cost of the tolls.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a trip from Bolton, Massachusetts, to Bethel, Connecticut, is within driving distance and can be accomplished in a reasonably short period. By choosing the most convenient route, you can reduce the travel time and the gas cost. We recommend Route 1 via I-84 W, which is the shortest and most direct route. With a gas cost of $6.02, you can take the trip without breaking your budget. Happy travels!