The Cost of Driving from Bridgewater, Massachusetts to Raleigh, North Carolina
If you're planning a trip from Bridgewater, Massachusetts to Raleigh, North Carolina, you may be wondering how much it'll cost you. The answer, of course, depends on several factors, such as the route you take, gas prices, toll costs, and how fuel-efficient your vehicle is. In this article, we'll break down the various routes you can take and provide estimates on the cost and distance of each.
Route 1: I-95 South (706 mi)
One obvious route to take when traveling from Bridgewater to Raleigh is via I-95, the most direct route. The trip is a total of 706 miles and takes about 11 hours without any stops or traffic.
Fuel Cost
Assuming a gas price of $2.88 per gallon and a fuel economy of 28 miles per gallon (mpg), the total fuel cost for the trip would be approximately $91.77 for a passenger car. For an SUV or truck with fuel economy of 20 mpg, the fuel cost would be around $130.
Toll Cost
When taking I-95, you will encounter several tolls along the way. Here is an estimate of the tolls you'll pay for a one-way trip:
- Massachusetts Turnpike: $15 ($7.50 for a passenger car with E-ZPass)
- Connecticut Turnpike: $6.50 ($4.20 with E-ZPass)
- New York State Toll Roads: $27.60 ($21.50 with E-ZPass)
- New Jersey Turnpike: $18.80 ($13.85 with E-ZPass)
- Delaware Turnpike: $4 ($3 with E-ZPass)
- Maryland Toll Road: $8 ($6 with E-ZPass)
- Total: $80.90 ($57 with E-ZPass)
It should be noted that some tolls on I-95 may be higher during peak hours or if you don't have E-ZPass.
Total Cost
Taking into account both fuel and toll costs, the total cost of driving from Bridgewater to Raleigh via I-95 would be:
- Passenger car: $172.77 without E-ZPass or $149.90 with E-ZPass
- SUV/Truck: $210 without E-ZPass or $187 with E-ZPass
Route 2: I-84 West (791 mi)
Another option is to take I-84 west to I-81 south and then connect with I-40, which takes you to Raleigh. This route is longer, with a total distance of 791 miles, but it may offer some advantages depending on your preferences.
Fuel Cost
Assuming a gas price of $2.88 per gallon and a fuel economy of 28 mpg, the total fuel cost for the trip would be approximately $102.06 for a passenger car. For an SUV or truck with fuel economy of 20 mpg, the fuel cost would be around $146.
Toll Cost
One advantage of this route is that there are no toll roads along the way.
Total Cost
Taking into account only fuel costs, the total cost of driving from Bridgewater to Raleigh via I-84 and I-40 would be:
- Passenger car: $102.06
- SUV/Truck: $146
Route 3: US-1 South (812 mi)
A third option is to take US-1, which, although slower, gives you the chance to visit some interesting cities along the way, like Baltimore and Washington D.C. The total trip distance is 812 miles, with an estimated driving time of about 13 hours.
Fuel Cost
Assuming a gas price of $2.88 per gallon and a fuel economy of 28 mpg, the total fuel cost for the trip would be approximately $104.54 for a passenger car. For an SUV or truck with fuel economy of 20 mpg, the fuel cost would be around $149.
Toll Cost
Similar to the I-84 route, there are no toll roads along this route.
Total Cost
Taking into account only fuel costs, the total cost of driving from Bridgewater to Raleigh via US-1 would be:
- Passenger car: $104.54
- SUV/Truck: $149
Route 4: Compare and pick the best
Now that we've looked at the different routes, here's a summary of the total cost of driving from Bridgewater to Raleigh:
| Route | Distance | Driving Time | Fuel Cost (Passenger Car) | Fuel Cost (SUV/Truck) | Toll Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-95 South | 706 mi | 11 hours | $91.77 | $130 | $80.90 - $57 |
| I-84 West -> I-81 South -> I-40 East | 791 mi | 12.5 hours | $102.06 | $146 | $0 |
| US-1 South | 812 mi | 13 hours | $104.54 | $149 | $0 |
As you can see, the I-95 route is the most direct but also the most expensive. If you're looking to save on toll costs, the I-84 route may be your best bet. However, if you're looking for some scenic stops along the way and don't mind the extra driving time, the US-1 route could be a good option.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cost of driving from Bridgewater to Raleigh depends on several factors, such as the route you take, gas prices, toll costs, and your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Based on our analysis, the I-95 route is the most expensive due to toll costs, while the I-84 and US-1 routes are comparable in terms of fuel costs. It's up to you to weigh the pros and cons of each route and choose which one works best for your budget and travel preferences. Regardless of which route you take, the estimated driving time is around 11-13 hours, so be sure to plan your stops accordingly to make the trip as enjoyable as possible.