The Cost of a Trip Between Boston, Massachusetts and Narragansett, Rhode Island

If you're planning a trip from Boston, Massachusetts, to Narragansett, Rhode Island, you have multiple routes to choose from. Each path will offer a unique experience with different levels of convenience and cost. In this article, we'll break down the various routes available and discuss the distance and cost for each option. We'll also recommend the best route to take based on these factors.

Route Options

Route 1: I-95 S

This is likely the most direct route if you're coming from Boston. You'll merge onto I-95 S and stay on it for approximately 77 miles. You'll take exit 9 to get onto RI-4 S, which you'll take for 4.2 miles before merging onto US-1 S. The entire trip should take around an hour and a half.

Route 2: RI-146 S

Another option is to take RI-146 S from Worcester, MA. This route bypasses the more congested I-95 and leads you to Providence, RI. From there, you can hop on I-95 or continue on RI-4 S and US-1 S, similar to Route 1. The total distance is around 85 miles, and the travel time is about an hour and forty-five minutes.

Route 3: Scenic Route

If you're looking for a more scenic route, you can take US-44 E from Providence and enjoy views of scenic Rhode Island. Eventually, you'll turn south onto RI-102 S before getting on I-95. This route is about 98 miles and takes around two hours.

Cost Analysis

To estimate the cost of each route, we'll consider the fuel costs based on the current average gas prices in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. According to GasBuddy.com, the current average price for regular gas in Massachusetts is around $3.02 per gallon, while the average in Rhode Island is slightly higher at $3.08 per gallon.

Route 1: I-95 S

The distance between Boston and Narragansett using I-95 S is approximately 81 miles round trip. Assuming your car gets around 25 miles per gallon, you'll use about 3.24 gallons of gas for the trip. This brings the total cost to around $9.78.

Route 2: RI-146 S

Assuming starting in Worcester, the distance using RI-146 S is roughly 170 miles round trip. If your car gets around 25 miles per gallon, you'll need to use about 6.8 gallons of gas. This brings the total cost to approximately $20.78.

Route 3: Scenic Route

The distance using the scenic route is around 196 miles round trip. With a car that gets around 25 miles per gallon, you'll use about 7.84 gallons of gas. This brings the total cost to roughly $24.23.

Recommendation

After comparing the routes based on distance and cost, we recommend Route 1: I-95 S. This route offers the quickest way to get from Boston to Narragansett while also being the most cost-effective. You'll still get to experience a mix of urban and coastal scenery on the drive while not breaking your budget.

Conclusion

Traveling from Boston, Massachusetts, to Narragansett, Rhode Island, offers a variety of routes to select from. The I-95 S route provides the most direct and cost-effective way to get from point A to point B. Whether you choose Route 1 or opt for a more scenic drive on Route 3, keep the distance, fuel costs, and travel time in mind. With this information in hand, you're sure to have a comfortable, cost-effective trip to Narragansett.