The Cost of a Trip between Boston, MA and Peterborough, NH Amidst High Gas Prices

If you’re planning on travelling from Boston, Massachusetts to Peterborough, New Hampshire, there are several route options available to you. While transportation costs can be a significant part of your travel expenses, there are ways to optimize your travel route to save on fuel expenses.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the different routes available and compare their costs, including travel time and distance.

Route Options

Route 1: I-93 N and NH-101 W

The first route is perhaps the most direct and commonly used. Starting from Boston, you’d take I-93 N and NH-101 W to Peterborough. This route is approximately 76 miles long and can take anywhere from 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 minutes depending on traffic.

The total fuel cost using this route would be around $11.60 at current gas prices and average fuel efficiency (25 MPG), assuming a gas price of $3.89 per gallon.

Route 2: I-95 N and NH-101 W

The second route option is a little longer. Starting from Boston, you’d take I-95 N to Portsmouth, NH, and then switch to NH-101 W to Peterborough. This route is approximately 92 miles long and can take anywhere from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 50 minutes depending on traffic.

The total fuel cost using this route would be around $14 at current gas prices and average fuel efficiency (25 MPG), assuming a gas price of $3.89 per gallon.

Route 3: I-495 N and NH-101 W

The third route option is a bit more of a roundabout way to get there. Starting from Boston, you’d take I-495 N and then switch to NH-101 W to Peterborough. This route is approximately 84 miles long and can take anywhere from 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes depending on traffic.

The total fuel cost using this route would be around $12.80 at current gas prices and average fuel efficiency (25 MPG), assuming a gas price of $3.89 per gallon.

Comparing Costs

As you can see, Route 2 is the longest and the most expensive in terms of fuel. Route 3 is a bit out of the way and only saves you a little bit of time compared to Route 2. Route 1 is the shortest and most direct, making it the cheapest in terms of fuel costs.

While there are other factors to consider when choosing a route, for the purposes of saving on fuel costs, Route 1 is the best option.

Other Transportation Options

While driving using a personal car is the most common means of transportation between Boston, MA and Peterborough, NH, there are several other transportation options available.

Public Transit

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) offers several train and bus routes between Boston and surrounding cities and towns. However, there isn’t a direct bus route from Boston to Peterborough. The closest bus stop is in Milford, NH, which is around a 25-minute drive from Peterborough.

The cost of a one-way commuter rail ride from Boston to Milford is around $10.50, while a one-way bus ride from Boston to Milford is around $18.50. Depending on the time of day you’re travelling, it can take anywhere from 1 hour and 20 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes using public transit.

Uber and Lyft are popular ride-hailing services available in Boston. However, the cost of using these services can vary depending on the time of day, distance travelled, and demand for rides. A rough estimate of the cost of an Uber or Lyft ride between Boston and Peterborough would be around $80 to $100, one-way.

Car Rentals

If you don’t have access to a personal vehicle but still want the convenience of driving yourself, car rentals are also an option. Prices can vary depending on the company you rent from, the type of vehicle, and how many days you need the rental for. However, a rough estimate for a three-day car rental can be around $100 to $150, plus fuel and insurance costs.

Conclusion

The most cost-effective way to travel between Boston, MA and Peterborough, NH, is by personal car using Route 1 (I-93 N and NH-101 W). This route is the shortest, most direct, and cheapest in terms of fuel costs. However, depending on your personal needs, there are other transportation options available, such as public transit, ride-sharing services, and car rentals. Regardless of the means of transportation you choose, it’s essential to factor transportation costs into your overall travel planning process to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Using Route 1, the trip should take around 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 minutes.