The Cost of a Trip from Bridgeport to Southbury: Navigating Gas Prices and Route Options

When planning a trip from Bridgeport, Connecticut to Southbury, Connecticut, there are several factors to consider before hitting the road. For anyone looking to travel between these two towns, one of the most pressing questions is the cost of gas and which route will be the most cost-effective. In this article, we'll examine the various ways to travel between Bridgeport and Southbury, weighing the cost and distance of each option. We'll also recommend the best route for drivers to take to save money on gas and arrive at their destination safely and efficiently.

Considering the Cost of Gas

Before we dive into the different route options, let's take a quick look at gas prices. As of June 2021, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Connecticut is around $3.04. Depending on how much you drive, this cost can quickly add up. For example, if your car gets an average of 25 miles per gallon, driving the approximately 30 miles between Bridgeport and Southbury would require just over a gallon of gas, costing around $3. Even a seemingly small difference in miles per gallon or route length could result in significant savings or costs for the trip.

Route Options and Costs

Driving between Bridgeport and Southbury gives drivers several route options. The three most commonly used are:

Route 8

Route 8 is a direct route from Bridgeport to Southbury. It's the quickest route, taking approximately 25 to 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions. However, it also comes with a price tag. Even though it's one of the more direct routes, it's also the longest, covering about 30 miles. If you're driving a vehicle averaging 25 miles per gallon and gas costing $3.04 per gallon, you can expect to pay approximately $3.66 in gas costs for this route.

I-84

Another popular route is to take I-84, which will take drivers through Waterbury and then on to Southbury. This route is approximately 29 miles long and could take anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic. However, this route offers the best gas mileage out of the three options, providing drivers with an average of 26 miles per gallon. Based on the price of gas, you would pay approximately $3.52 in gas costs for this route.

Scenic Route

Another option is to take a scenic route, which would take you through Bethany and Woodbridge before arriving at Southbury. While this route is approximately the same length as Route 8, it takes closer to 35 to 40 minutes to drive. But the good news is that it's a more fuel-efficient route than Route 8, providing drivers with an average of 28 miles per gallon. Based on the cost of gas, this route would cost approximately $3.30 in gas costs.

Recommendations for the Best Route

While each route has its pluses and minuses, the most fuel-efficient and cost-effective route is undoubtedly the scenic route. While it may take a bit longer to arrive at Southbury, drivers can save over 30 cents per gallon compared with Route 8 and over 20 cents per gallon compared to I-84. With this in mind, if you're looking to save money on gas, we recommend taking the scenic route to Southbury.

Conclusion

While there are many different routes to take when driving from Bridgeport to Southbury, the cost of gas is one factor that shouldn't be ignored. Based on current gas prices, the scenic route is the most cost-effective, allowing drivers to arrive at their destination safely and with a little extra cash in their pockets. Ultimately, the decision of which route to take will depend on personal needs and preferences, but with this guide, we hope to provide a helpful starting point for anyone navigating the trip between Bridgeport and Southbury.