The Cost of a Trip Between Boston, Massachusetts and Melrose, Massachusetts Based on Current Gas Prices

Traveling from Boston, Massachusetts, to Melrose, Massachusetts, is a journey that many people make every day. While the route is relatively short, there are still several different ways to get there, and the cost of the trip can vary depending on a number of factors. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the cost of a trip between Boston and Melrose, including the different possible routes and the distance of each one.

Route Options

There are a few different routes that you can take when traveling from Boston to Melrose, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Here are three of the most common routes that people take:

Route 1: Take I-93 North

One of the most direct routes from Boston to Melrose is to take Interstate 93 North. This route is relatively straightforward and should take around 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic. The distance between Boston and Melrose via this route is approximately 10 miles.

Route 2: Take Storrow Drive to Route 28 North

Another option is to take Storrow Drive west to Route 28 North. This route follows the Charles River and will take you through several neighborhoods on the way to Melrose. The distance between Boston and Melrose via this route is approximately 11 miles, and it should take around 25-35 minutes, depending on traffic.

Route 3: Take Route 1 North

Finally, you could take Route 1 North, which will take you through several towns on the way to Melrose. While this route is longer than the others, at around 16 miles, it may offer some advantages if you want to avoid traffic on I-93. It should take around 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Gas Prices in the Area

Before we can accurately compare the cost of the different routes, we need to know the current gas prices in the area. According to GasBuddy.com, as of August 2021, the average price of regular gasoline in Boston is $2.94 per gallon. In Melrose, the average price is slightly lower at $2.88 per gallon.

Cost of the Trip

With these prices in mind, let's take a look at the cost of the trip for each of the three routes listed above, assuming a vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon, and a round trip.

Route 1: Take I-93 North

The distance from Boston to Melrose via I-93 is approximately 10 miles, so a round-trip would be around 20 miles. At a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, this would consume 0.8 gallons of gasoline.

To calculate the cost, we just need to multiply the gallons used by the price per gallon. In this case, it would be $2.94 x 0.8 = $2.35 for the round trip.

Route 2: Take Storrow Drive to Route 28 North

The distance from Boston to Melrose via Storrow Drive and Route 28 is approximately 11 miles each way, for a round trip of 22 miles. At a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, this would consume 0.88 gallons of gasoline.

Again, we just multiply the gallons used by the price per gallon to calculate the cost of the trip. In this case, it would be $2.94 x 0.88 = $2.58 for the round trip.

Route 3: Take Route 1 North

The distance from Boston to Melrose via Route 1 is approximately 16 miles each way, for a round trip of 32 miles. At a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, this would consume 1.28 gallons of gasoline.

Once again, we multiply the gallons used by the price per gallon to calculate the cost of the trip. In this case, it would be $2.94 x 1.28 = $3.76 for the round trip.

Recommended Route

Based on the cost analysis above, it appears that taking I-93 North is the cheapest option, at $2.35 for the round trip, followed closely by Storrow Drive and Route 28, at $2.58 for the round trip. While Route 1 is longer, it is also more expensive, at $3.76 for the round trip.

That said, traffic patterns can quickly change the cost of these routes, with fluctuations based on the time of day. At peak hours, routes such as Storrow Drive and Route 1 could prove to be more cost-effective, given the state of traffic. Knowing when to use each route will be important in making an informed decision.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cost of a trip between Boston and Melrose depends on several factors, including the route taken, fuel efficiency, and gas prices in the area. While the I-93 North route is often the cheapest, there are a few different options to choose from if you need to adapt to the conditions of the day.

It is important to remember that these costs may change over time due to things like fluctuating gas prices. Therefore, it is crucial to keep checking local gas prices before diving into any journey. Nonetheless, with a decent car, knowledge of efficient routes, and the aforementioned factors, traveling between Boston and Melrose should be a cost-effective distance to travel.