The Cost of a Trip between Bristol, Rhode Island, and Potomac, Maryland Based on Current Gas Prices

Are you planning to travel from Bristol, Rhode Island, to Potomac, Maryland? If so, you're probably wondering what the cost of the trip will be based on current gas prices. There are several ways to get there, and each route has a different cost and distance. In this article, we'll break down the cost and distance of each route and recommend the best one based on your needs.

Possible Routes

Route 1: I-95 South

The first and most direct route from Bristol, Rhode Island, to Potomac, Maryland, is to take I-95 South. This route takes you through Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. The distance of this route is approximately 380 miles, and it takes about 6 hours and 21 minutes to travel by car. The cost of this trip will depend on your car's gas mileage and the current price of gas.

Route 2: I-84 West

The second route is to take I-84 West and merge onto I-684 South. This route takes you through Connecticut and New York and then follows the same path as Route 1 through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. The distance of this route is approximately 415 miles, and it takes about 7 hours to travel by car. The cost of this trip will also depend on your car's gas mileage and the current price of gas.

Route 3: I-90 West

The third route is to take I-90 West and merge onto I-86 West. This route takes you through Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania and then follows the same path as Routes 1 and 2 through Delaware and Maryland. The distance of this route is approximately 470 miles, and it takes about 8 hours and 30 minutes to travel by car. The cost of this trip will also depend on your car's gas mileage and the current price of gas.

Cost Analysis

To determine the cost of the trip, we need to calculate the approximate distance and the current gas price. According to gasbuddy.com, the current average gas price in Rhode Island is $2.88 per gallon, and in Maryland, it's $2.79 per gallon. Let's assume that your car gets 25 miles per gallon, and gas prices remain the same throughout the trip.

Route 1: I-95 South

The distance of Route 1 is approximately 380 miles. If your car gets 25 miles per gallon, you will need approximately 15.2 gallons of gas to complete the trip. At the current average gas price in Rhode Island, this would cost you approximately $43.78. However, if you fill up in Maryland at the average gas price, it would cost you approximately $41.86. Therefore, the total cost of this trip would be approximately $85.64.

Route 2: I-84 West

The distance of Route 2 is approximately 415 miles. If your car gets 25 miles per gallon, you will need approximately 16.6 gallons of gas to complete the trip. At the current average gas price in Rhode Island, this would cost you approximately $47.81. However, if you fill up in Maryland at the average gas price, it would cost you approximately $46.34. Therefore, the total cost of this trip would be approximately $94.15.

Route 3: I-90 West

The distance of Route 3 is approximately 470 miles. If your car gets 25 miles per gallon, you will need approximately 18.8 gallons of gas to complete the trip. At the current average gas price in Rhode Island, this would cost you approximately $54.14. However, if you fill up in Maryland at the average gas price, it would cost you approximately $52.24. Therefore, the total cost of this trip would be approximately $106.38.

Recommendations

Based on the cost analysis, the most affordable route would be Route 1, taking I-95 South. However, this is also the shortest distance. If you're interested in a more scenic route or want to avoid heavy traffic, you may want to consider taking Route 2 or Route 3. Keep in mind that these routes are also more expensive, so you'll need to factor in the cost of gas.

Conclusion

Traveling from Bristol, Rhode Island, to Potomac, Maryland, can take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours depending on the route you take. The cost of gas will also vary depending on the route and the current gas prices. If you're looking for the most affordable route, we recommend taking I-95 South. However, if you're interested in a more scenic route or want to avoid heavy traffic, you may want to consider taking I-84 West or I-90 West. No matter which route you take, make sure to plan ahead and factor in the cost of gas to make your trip as budget-friendly as possible.