The Cost of a Trip Between Bournemouth and Plymouth: How Gas Prices Affect Your Wallet

If you're planning a trip between Bournemouth and Plymouth, one of the most important factors to consider is the cost of gas. With fluctuating gasoline prices, figuring out how much you'll need to spend on fuel can be a challenge. In this article, we've broken down the different routes between Bournemouth and Plymouth, and explored the cost and distance for each option.

The Routes

Route 1: The A35

The A35 is a straightforward route that takes you from Bournemouth to Plymouth directly. This route is typically about 72 miles, and while it is the most direct route, it can be a bit of a trek. However, it's also the route that tends to get the best gas mileage.

Route 2: The A35/A31/M27

You can also take the A35 to the A31, then the M27 to Plymouth. This route adds about 20 miles to your trip, but it takes you through some beautiful countryside. The trade-off with this route is that it generally gets worse gas mileage.

Route 3: The A35/A30

The A35 route joins the A30 near Honiton, where you'll continue toward Plymouth. This route provides some stunning views of the coast and is generally the quickest option, but it's also more expensive in terms of gas milage than the A35 route. It adds about 10 miles to your journey.

The Costs

We calculated the cost of each of these routes using current gas prices in the UK. Our research indicates that gas is generally cheaper in Plymouth than it is in Bournemouth; as such, the cost estimates below are based on the assumption that you'll be filling up your tank once you arrive in Plymouth, rather than making any stops along the way.

Route 1: The A35

At the time of writing, gas prices in Bournemouth averaged about £1.30 per litre. If you're driving a standard car and your tank holds around 55 litres, you'll need about £71.50 worth of gas to make it to Plymouth.

Route 2: The A35/A31/M27

With the slight detour, this route is about 93 miles, which means you'll need to fill up your tank more frequently. At £1.30 per litre, you'll need approximately £86.24 worth of gas to make it to your destination.

Route 3: The A35/A30

At roughly 82 miles, this route is quicker than Route 2, but it's also more expensive due to the cost of petrol. If you're following this path, you'll need about £78.45 worth of petrol to complete your journey.

The Recommendation

Based on our calculations, it's clear that the A35 is the most economical route in terms of fuel efficiency. While the other two paths may be slightly more scenic, they will also put a dent in your wallet thanks to their worse fuel mileage. The A35 route is only marginally shorter than the other options, so it's still a direct path that won't take you off course.

Conclusion

If you're looking to make the trip from Bournemouth to Plymouth, there are a few routes to consider. Ultimately, the A35 will be the most economical option for most drivers, thanks to its efficient gas mileage. However, if you're willing to trade a bit of gas money for some beautiful sights, either Route 2 or Route 3 could be a more scenic journey. Regardless of which path you choose, though, you can expect your journey to take around two hours by car.