Driving Cost from Boston, Massachusetts to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

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The Cost of a Road Trip from Boston, MA to Bethlehem, PA

If you're planning a road trip from Boston, Massachusetts to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, you're in for a treat. Both cities are rich in history with plenty of sights to see along the way. However, before setting out on your adventure, you'll want to consider the cost of your trip. Gas prices can fluctuate at any time, making a significant impact on your travel budget. In this article, we'll explore the cost of a road trip between the two cities and the different routes you can take.

Possible Routes

There are a few different routes you can take when driving from Boston to Bethlehem, so let's explore each one to get an idea of the cost and distance.

Route 1: I-90 W and I-84 W

The most direct route between Boston and Bethlehem is via I-90 W and I-84 W. This route takes you through Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania. The distance is approximately 308 miles, and it takes around 5 hours to complete the trip. However, this route has tolls, so you'll want to factor that into your cost.

Toll Costs

Toll costs vary depending on the time of day and your method of payment. If you have an E-ZPass, the toll fee is generally less expensive than paying cash. Here are the current toll costs for this route:

  • Massachusetts Turnpike: $1.70 with E-ZPass, $2.05 with cash
  • New York State Thruway: $10.50 with E-ZPass, $14.00 with cash
  • Pennsylvania Turnpike: $31.60 with E-ZPass, $44.90 with cash

The total cost of tolls one way via this route is $43.80 with E-ZPass or $61.95 with cash.

Gas Costs

The distance between Boston and Bethlehem is approximately 308 miles, which means you'll need to fill up your gas tank once or twice, depending on your vehicle's fuel economy.

Using an average gas price of $3.00 per gallon, a sedan that gets 30 miles per gallon will require around 10 gallons of gas. The total gas cost for this route is approximately $30 each way, making the total round trip gas cost around $60.

Route 2: I-90 W and I-81 S

If you want to avoid tolls, another option is to take I-90 W and I-81 S. This route takes you through Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania, similar to Route 1. However, instead of taking I-84 W, you'll continue on I-81 S until you reach Bethlehem. The distance is approximately 335 miles, and it takes around 6 hours to complete the trip.

Toll Costs

The only toll on this route is the Massachusetts Turnpike mentioned earlier.

Gas Costs

The distance between Boston and Bethlehem is approximately 335 miles, which means you'll need to fill up your gas tank once or twice.

Using the same gas price and fuel economy as Route 1, the total gas cost for this route is approximately $34 one way, making the total round trip gas cost around $68.

Route 3: I-95 S and I-476 N

If you want a scenic route and don't mind adding some distance to your trip, you can take I-95 S and I-476 N. This route takes you through Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The distance is approximately 380 miles, and it takes around 7 hours to complete the trip.

Toll Costs

This route has tolls throughout multiple states, so the total cost will depend on the time of day and your payment method. Here are the current toll costs for this route:

  • Massachusetts Turnpike: $1.70 with E-ZPass, $2.05 with cash
  • Connecticut Turnpike: $1.50 with E-ZPass, $3.50 with cash
  • New York State Thruway: $10.50 with E-ZPass, $14.00 with cash
  • New Jersey Turnpike: $16.30 with E-ZPass, $21.85 with cash
  • Pennsylvania Turnpike: $31.60 with E-ZPass, $44.90 with cash

The total cost of tolls for this route is $61.60 with E-ZPass or $87.20 with cash for one way.

Gas Costs

The distance between Boston and Bethlehem is approximately 380 miles, which means you'll need to fill up your gas tank two or three times.

Using the same gas price and fuel economy as the previous routes, the total gas cost for this route is approximately $38 one way, making the total round trip gas cost around $76.

The Best Route

Considering the distance, tolls, and gas costs, the best route for a road trip between Boston and Bethlehem is Route 2 via I-90 W and I-81 S. It has the lowest toll fees and a reasonably straightforward route. You'll also save some money on gas, which you can put towards other travel expenses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a road trip from Boston to Bethlehem offers plenty of exciting things to see and do along the way. Planning ahead and taking into account the cost of tolls and gas will help you stay within your budget. Consider taking Route 2 via I-90 W and I-81 S to save on toll fees and gas costs. With a total round trip gas cost of around $68, you'll have more money to enjoy everything these two cities have to offer.