The Cost of a Trip Between Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and City of Ithaca, New York Based on Current Gas Prices

A road trip from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania to the City of Ithaca, New York is a great way to explore two beautiful states – Pennsylvania and New York. However, before embarking on the trip, it is important to consider the cost of the journey, which primarily includes the cost of gas. In this article, we will look at the different possible routes, highlight the cost and distance of each one, and recommend the best route.

Possible Routes

There are three possible routes that one can take from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania to the City of Ithaca, New York, as listed below:

Route 1: Via US-15 N and I-86 W – 195 miles

This route goes via US-15 N and I-86 W and takes approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes to cover a distance of 195 miles.

Route 2: Via I-81 N and I-80 W – 275 miles

The second route goes via I-81 N and I-80 W and takes approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes to cover a distance of 275 miles.

Route 3: Via US-11 N and NY-79 W – 215 miles

The third route goes via US-11 N and NY-79 W and takes approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes to cover a distance of 215 miles.

Cost of the Trip

The cost of a trip primarily depends on the cost of gas. In order to calculate the gas cost, we need to consider the average price of gas and the fuel efficiency of the car. As of August 2021, the average price of regular gasoline in Pennsylvania is $3.10 per gallon, while in New York, it is $3.18 per gallon, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

Assuming a car with an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon and that gas prices will remain constant throughout the trip, we can calculate the total cost of gas for each route as follows:

Route 1: Via US-15 N and I-86 W

A car traveling from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania to the City of Ithaca, New York via US-15 N and I-86 W will cover a distance of 195 miles. To complete this journey, the car will need 7.8 gallons of gasoline, at a cost of $24.18 in Pennsylvania and $24.82 in New York. Therefore, the total gas cost for this route will be $48.00 approximately.

Route 2: Via I-81 N and I-80 W

A car traveling from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania to the City of Ithaca, New York via I-81 N and I-80 W will cover a distance of 275 miles. To complete this journey, the car will need 11 gallons of gasoline, at a cost of $34.10 in Pennsylvania and $34.98 in New York. Therefore, the total gas cost for this route will be $69.00 approximately.

Route 3: Via US-11 N and NY-79 W

A car traveling from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania to the City of Ithaca, New York via US-11 N and NY-79 W will cover a distance of 215 miles. To complete this journey, the car will need 8.6 gallons of gasoline, at a cost of $26.66 in Pennsylvania and $27.25 in New York. Therefore, the total gas cost for this route will be $54.00 approximately.

Recommended Route

Considering the cost and distance of each route, we recommend taking Route 1 (via US-15 N and I-86 W), which is the shortest and cheapest route. Although Route 3 (via US-11 N and NY-79 W) is slightly cheaper than Route 1, the latter is faster and will save you valuable time. Route 2 (via I-81 N and I-80 W) is the most expensive and longest route, making it the least desirable option.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a road trip from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania to the City of Ithaca, New York is a great way to explore two beautiful states. To keep the cost of your trip in check, we recommend taking Route 1 via US-15 N and I-86 W, which is the shortest and cheapest route. With gas prices being the primary cost of a trip, it is always crucial to consider the cost of gas and fuel efficiency of your car to estimate the total cost of the trip. Taking the recommended route, the journey should take approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes.