The Cost of a Road Trip between Brunswick, Maine and Ridgewood, New Jersey

The idea of taking a road trip is exciting, it can be a great way to disconnect from the daily routine and explore new places. However, before starting the journey, it's important to consider the cost of gas and the distance that needs to be covered. In this article, we'll take a look at the cost of a road trip between Brunswick, Maine, and Ridgewood, New Jersey, based on current gas prices.

Possible Routes

There are different routes that can be taken to travel between Brunswick and Ridgewood. The route that is chosen will depend on factors like the distance, gas prices, and the time that needs to be spent on the road. Here are a few possible routes that can be taken:

Route 1: I-95 S

The first route is via I-95 S and covers a distance of approximately 340 miles. This route is the most direct, but it also has the highest toll fees. It passes through several cities like Boston, Providence, and New York City, which can lead to traffic congestion.

Route 2: I-93 S and I-90 W

The second route is via I-93 S and I-90 W and covers a distance of approximately 400 miles. This route will bypass New York City and instead passes through Albany. This route has fewer toll fees compared to Route 1, but it will take longer since it covers a longer distance.

Route 3: I-295 S and I-95 S

The third route is via I-295 S and I-95 S and covers a distance of approximately 370 miles. This route will bypass Boston, but it still passes through Providence and New York City. It has a few toll fees along the way, but it's less congested compared to Route 1.

Cost and Distance of Each Route

Now that we've looked at the three possible routes, let's break down the cost and distance of each one based on current gas prices. As of October 2021, the average gas price in Maine is $3.21, while in New Jersey, it's $3.28 per gallon. The fuel efficiency of a car is also an important factor to consider. For this article, we'll use the assumption that a car has a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon.

Route 1: I-95 S

Based on MapQuest, the distance between Brunswick and Ridgewood via Route 1 is approximately 340 miles. If we assume a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon and an average gas price of $3.21, the total cost of gas for this route would be $43.68. Additionally, this route has several toll fees, which can cost up to $30 depending on the exit that is taken.

Route 2: I-93 S and I-90 W

Based on MapQuest, the distance between Brunswick and Ridgewood via Route 2 is approximately 400 miles. If we assume a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon and an average gas price of $3.21, the total cost of gas for this route would be $51.20. This route has fewer toll fees compared to Route 1, but it still has a few toll booths along the way.

Route 3: I-295 S and I-95 S

Based on MapQuest, the distance between Brunswick and Ridgewood via Route 3 is approximately 370 miles. If we assume a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon and an average gas price of $3.21, the total cost of gas for this route would be $47.36. This route has fewer toll fees compared to Route 1, and it's less congested compared to Route 2.

Recommended Route

Based on the cost and distance of each route, Route 3 via I-295 S and I-95 S is the recommended route. While it does have a few toll booths along the way, it's less congested compared to Route 1 and covers a shorter distance compared to Route 2. Additionally, the cost of gas for this route is reasonable compared to the others.

Conclusion

Taking a road trip between Brunswick, Maine and Ridgewood, New Jersey is a great way to see the East Coast and disconnect from the daily routine. However, it's essential to consider the cost of gas and the distance that needs to be covered before starting the journey. Based on the three routes examined in this article, Route 3 via I-295 S and I-95 S is the recommended route since it's less congested and covers a reasonable distance. Overall, the journey should take around 6 to 7 hours, depending on traffic and the number of stops made along the way.