The Cost of a Trip Between Boston, Massachusetts and Denver, Colorado
Are you planning a road trip between Boston, Massachusetts and Denver, Colorado? While the drive can be a fun and exciting adventure, it's important to consider the cost of the trip before hitting the road. Gas prices, distance, and route can all impact the overall cost of the trip. In this article, we'll break down the cost of different routes and recommend the best one based on current gas prices.
The Different Possible Routes
There are a few different routes you can take when driving from Boston to Denver. The most direct route is to take I-90 West through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois until you reach I-25. From there, you can take I-25 straight into Denver. This route covers a total distance of 1,965 miles.
Another option is to take I-84 West through Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio until you reach I-80. From there, you can take I-80 West through Indiana and Illinois before connecting to I-76. I-76 will take you straight into Denver. This route covers a total distance of 2,020 miles.
Finally, you can take I-95 South through Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida until you reach I-10. From there, you can take I-10 West through Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and New Mexico before connecting to I-25. I-25 will take you straight into Denver. This route covers a total distance of 3,117 miles.
The Cost and Distance of Each Route
Now, let's break down the cost and distance of each route based on current gas prices. According to GasBuddy, the average gas price in Massachusetts as of August 2021 is $3.05 per gallon. In Colorado, the average gas price is $3.47 per gallon. We'll assume that you're driving a car that gets 25 miles per gallon and that you'll need to fill up your gas tank every 500 miles.
Using these assumptions, here's how much it would cost to drive each route:
- I-90 West Route: This route covers a total distance of 1,965 miles, so you'll need to fill up your gas tank four times. The total cost of gas for this route would be $244.13.
- I-84 West Route: This route covers a total distance of 2,020 miles, so you'll need to fill up your gas tank four times. The total cost of gas for this route would be $250.63.
- I-95 South Route: This route covers a total distance of 3,117 miles, so you'll need to fill up your gas tank six times. The total cost of gas for this route would be $388.37.
As you can see, the I-90 West route is the shortest and cheapest option in terms of gas. Not only will you save money on gas, but you'll also save time since the route is shorter than the other options.
The Best Route
Based on the cost and distance analysis, the I-90 West route is the best route for a road trip between Boston and Denver. This route is the most direct, which means you'll save both time and money on gas. While the I-84 West route is a close second in terms of distance and cost, it adds about 55 miles to the trip and takes longer to drive than the I-90 West route.
The I-95 South route, on the other hand, is significantly longer and more expensive than the other options. Unless you're planning on stopping in several states along the way, this route isn't worth the extra time and money.
Conclusion
Driving from Boston to Denver can be a fun and exciting adventure, but it's important to consider the cost of the trip before hitting the road. The I-90 West route is the best route for this trip based on current gas prices. This route is the shortest and cheapest option, which means you'll save both time and money on your road trip. Overall, driving from Boston to Denver should take about 30 hours if you drive straight through, but you'll likely want to take breaks and stop at attractions along the way. Enjoy the journey!