The Cost of a Road Trip: Driving from Boston to Biddeford
Taking a road trip is a great way to see the sights and sounds across the United States. One popular driving route is from Boston, Massachusetts, to Biddeford, Maine. Whether you're planning a family vacation, a weekend getaway, or a business trip, taking a car is a convenient and cost-effective way to travel. In this article, we will break down the cost of traveling from Boston to Biddeford by car.
The Different Possible Routes
There are several possible routes to take when driving from Boston to Biddeford. We've narrowed the options down to two primary routes, and we'll go through each one below.
- Route 1: Take the I-95 North
- Route 2: Drive along the Coastal Route (via MA-128 North and U.S. 1 North)
Route 1: I-95 North
The most common route to take when driving from Boston to Biddeford is via Interstate-95 (also known as I-95). This route spans nearly 340 miles and will take you around 5 to 6 hours. This route is a straight shot and offers very few stops or towns along the way, making it an ideal choice for those who want to get to Biddeford as quickly as possible.
The cost of this trip will mainly depend on the gas prices, tolls, and vehicle fuel efficiency. For gas prices, which play a critical role in the trip's cost, we will take the average gas price in Boston, which is $2.92 per gallon (as of June 2021). The distance from Boston to Biddeford is roughly 95 miles. So, you would need around 2.5 gallons of gas, which comes to a total of $7.3 for one way.
Suppose you plan to take the toll route, which is relatively faster. In that case, you will incur an added cost to your total trip expense. For instance, if you take the EZPass and pay a discounted rate, the toll fees will range between $5.50 and $7.55 for cars and $1 to $3 for motorcycles. Otherwise, if you opt to pay cash, the toll fees are higher, ranging between approximately $10 to $14 for cars.
Route 2: Coastal Route
The second route you can take while driving from Boston to Biddeford is the scenic one along the coast. This route covers approximately 120 miles, which will take you around 3 hours to complete. While this route is not as fast as I-95 North, it offers several towns, tourist spots, and beautiful scenery along the way, making it a popular choice among road-trippers and tourists.
The cost of this route will depend on the gas prices, tolls, and vehicle fuel efficiency. With an average of $2.5 per gallon fueling up, you can expect to need approximately 3.5 gallons of gas, which comes to a total of $8.75 for one way.
Additionally, if you take this route, you might be interested in stopping by several points of interest, which will add to the total cost of your trip. For instance, you can stop at Salem or Manchester by the Sea, which would entail additional parking, admission, and food costs.
The Recommended Route
Based on the cost and distance analysis above, taking Route 1 is slightly cheaper than Route 2. With this in mind, we would recommend taking the I-95 North route when driving from Boston to Biddeford, Maine. While the coastal route offers spectacular scenery and tourist spots, it's slightly more expensive and time-consuming.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a road trip from Boston to Biddeford is both exciting and cost-effective. There are two primary routes to choose from, with each having its own unique features and advantages. Route 1, via I-95 North, is the most economical choice, with gas prices playing a critical role. Route 2, the coastal route, offers breath-taking views and attractions but is slightly more expensive. Overall, when taking a road trip from Boston to Biddeford, we recommend taking the I-95 North for a fast and cost-effective trip.