The Cost of Your Road Trip between Cambridge and Salem: Fuel Prices, Routes, and Recommendations

Are you planning on a road trip between Cambridge and Salem in Massachusetts? In this article, we will break down the different routes and their corresponding costs to help you choose the best route. We will also take fuel prices into consideration since gas prices tend to fluctuate frequently.

Estimated Fuel Cost

Before embarking on your journey, you must first calculate the estimated fuel cost. According to GasBuddy, the current fuel price in Massachusetts ranges from $2.85 to $3.09 per gallon. Assuming you are driving a car with an average fuel consumption of 25 miles per gallon, you must calculate the fuel cost based on the distance of your chosen route. In the succeeding sections of this article, we will break down each route's distance, toll fees, and fuel cost.

Route 1: I-93N and MA-128N

This route is the most direct and easiest to navigate since you will only follow two highways, I-93N and MA-128N. The distance between Cambridge and Salem is approximately 22.7 miles, and it will take approximately 31 minutes to complete the journey.

However, this convenience comes at a price since there are toll fees on both highways. I-93N will cost you $1.50 at the exit for MA-3N towards Burlington. MA-128N, on the other hand, will cost you $2.65 at the exit for Endicott St towards Danvers. Therefore, the total toll cost for this route is $4.15.

As for fuel cost, your car will consume approximately 0.9 gallons of gas for this route. Thus, assuming the fuel price is $3.09 per gallon, the estimated fuel cost for this route is $2.78.

Route 2: US-3N and MA-128N

This route is 25.5 miles long and would take approximately 42 minutes to cover the distance, about 11 minutes longer than Route 1. Nonetheless, it has no toll fees, which is a big advantage. It is also worth noting that this route might be a better option during peak hours due to heavy traffic on I-93N.

As for the estimated fuel cost, your car will consume approximately 1.02 gallons of gas for this route. Hence, assuming the fuel price is $3.09 per gallon, the estimated fuel cost for this route is $3.15.

Route 3: US-3N and MA-114E

This route is 24.6 miles long and would take approximately 39 minutes to complete. It has no toll fees and is an excellent choice for individuals who want to avoid highways.

As for the estimated fuel cost, your car will consume approximately 0.99 gallons of gas for this route. Therefore, assuming the fuel price is $3.09 per gallon, the estimated fuel cost for this route is $3.06.

Route 4: MA-2A and Lowell St

This route is approximately 30.5 miles long and would take approximately 1 hour to complete the journey. It is the longest and includes both highways and non-highways. As for toll fees, you will only pay $0.50 at the exit for the MA-3N ramp towards Nashua.

As for the estimated fuel cost, your car will consume approximately 1.22 gallons of gas for this route. Hence, assuming the fuel price is $3.09 per gallon, the estimated fuel cost for this route is $3.77.

A Word of Advice

Based on distance, toll fees, and fuel cost, we recommend Route 2 as the best option between Cambridge and Salem. It is the second shortest option but has no toll fees. As for the fuel cost, it is only slightly higher than Route 1, but the lack of toll fees compensates for it.

Conclusion

In this article, we have provided you with a comprehensive breakdown of the different routes between Cambridge and Salem. We have taken into account factors like distance, toll fees, and fuel prices. Based on this, Route 2 is the best option for a cost-effective and convenient drive. Whatever route you choose, we hope you have a safe and enjoyable journey!