Driving from Cambridge, MA to North Brunswick, NJ: The Cost of the Trip Based on Current Gas Prices

When planning a road trip, it's important to factor in the cost of gas and tolls. If you're traveling from Cambridge, MA to North Brunswick, NJ, there are a few different routes you can take, each with its own distance, time, and cost. In this post, we'll break down the options and help you make the most cost-effective choice.

Route 1: I-95 South

The most direct route from Cambridge, MA to North Brunswick, NJ is via I-95 South, which takes you through Connecticut and New York. The distance of this route is approximately 240 miles, and it should take you around 4 hours to complete the trip. The cost of gas will depend on the current price in your area, but assuming an average of $3.00/gallon, you'll need to budget around $36.00 for gas. Additionally, there are tolls along this route, ranging from $6.80 to $9.70 depending on your starting point and time of day. Altogether, the total cost of this route will be around $55.00.

Route 2: I-84 and I-80

Another option is to take I-84 and I-80, which will take you through Hartford, CT, and Scranton, PA, before connecting with I-287 to bring you to North Brunswick, NJ. This route is longer, at approximately 315 miles, but can be more scenic and slightly less congested. However, the additional distance adds around 1 hour to the trip time, so plan on around 5 hours total. Assuming the same average gas price of $3.00/gallon, you'll need to budget around $47.00 for gas. There are tolls along this route as well, with a total cost of around $30.00. Altogether, the total cost of this route will be around $77.00.

Route 3: Route 1

If you want to avoid tolls altogether, you can opt for Route 1, which will take you through smaller towns and scenic areas, but will ultimately take more time and could be more congested. The distance of this route is approximately 300 miles, and it should take you around 6 hours to complete the trip. Because this route avoids major highways, you'll likely encounter some traffic lights and slower speed limits. Additionally, assuming the same gas price of $3.00/gallon, you'll need to budget around $45.00 for gas. Overall, this route is the most cost-effective, with a total cost of around $45.00.

Conclusion

When planning a road trip from Cambridge, MA to North Brunswick, NJ, there are a few different routes to consider, each with its own costs and benefits. If you value speed and convenience, I-95 is the most direct route with a total cost of around $55.00. If you prefer a scenic drive and want to avoid tolls, Route 1 is the most cost-effective option, with a total cost of around $45.00. Alternatively, if you're willing to sacrifice some time for a more leisurely ride, I-84 and I-80 offer a slightly longer, but still scenic, route for around $77.00 total cost. No matter which route you choose, it's important to budget for gas and tolls to get the most out of your road trip.