The Cost of a Trip between Elmira, NY and Penn Hills, PA

With the summer travel season just around the corner, many people are starting to plan their vacations and road trips. If you're considering a trip from Elmira, New York to Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, one of the things you'll need to factor into your planning is the cost of the trip, especially with the fluctuating gas prices. In this article, we will explore the different possible routes between these two cities, highlighting their cost and distance, to help you decide which one is the best option for your journey.

Route 1: The Direct Way

The most straightforward route between Elmira and Penn Hills is to take Interstate 86 East to Interstate 99 South, which ultimately leads to Penn Hills. This route has a distance of approximately 160 miles and takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

To estimate the cost of this trip, we need to consider the current gas prices. As of May 2021, the average gas price in the United States is hovering around $2.97 per gallon. Assuming your vehicle has an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, you would need roughly 6.4 gallons of gas for the entire journey. Therefore, the cost of this route would be approximately $19.

Route 2: The Picturesque Winding Route

If you're looking to take a more scenic route, you can consider taking State Route 414 South from Elmira, passing through the beautiful Finger Lakes region. This route will eventually lead you to State Route 22 South, which you can follow until you reach Penn Hills. The total distance of this route is approximately 170 miles, with an estimated travel time of around 3 hours.

Since you'll be covering more miles on this route, the fuel cost will naturally be higher. Considering the same gas prices as mentioned earlier, you would need about 6.8 gallons of gas to complete this journey, bringing the total cost to approximately $20.

Route 3: The Time-Saving Interstate Route

If your primary focus is reaching your destination as quickly as possible, you might want to take a combination of Interstate 86 East and Interstate 99 South via Route 352. This route has a distance similar to the direct way, at around 160 miles, but it saves you approximately 30 minutes in travel time.

When it comes to fuel cost, this route is identical to Route 1, requiring roughly 6.4 gallons of gas and costing about $19.

Route 4: The Route with Pit Stops

For those looking to add some interesting stops along the way, you can consider taking State Route 17C South from Elmira, which eventually connects to U.S. Route 219 South. This scenic route passes through charming towns like Waverly and Sayre, giving you an opportunity to take in the small-town charm of upstate New York and Pennsylvania.

The total distance covered by this route is approximately 175 miles, and it usually takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes. With the same gas prices mentioned earlier, you would need approximately 7 gallons of gas, making the total cost of this journey approximately $21.

Recommendation: The Direct Way

After considering the different routes, their distances, travel times, and associated costs, we recommend taking the direct way via Interstate 86 East and Interstate 99 South for your journey between Elmira and Penn Hills.

This route provides the shortest distance and travel time, ensuring you reach your destination efficiently. Additionally, it offers the same fuel cost as the other routes, saving you a few extra dollars to spend on other aspects of your trip.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the trip from Elmira, New York to Penn Hills, Pennsylvania offers a variety of routes with different distances, travel times, and associated costs. Based on the current gas prices, the cost for the entire journey ranges between $19 and $21, depending on the route chosen. Ultimately, the most recommended route is the direct way via Interstate 86 East and Interstate 99 South, providing the shortest distance and travel time. No matter which route you choose, the approximate travel time for this trip is around 2 hours and 30 minutes, allowing you ample time to enjoy your destination once you arrive.