The Cost of Driving from Boston, MA to Providence, RI: A Guide Based on Current Gas Prices

Are you planning a road trip from Boston, Massachusetts to Providence, Rhode Island? This short drive of about 50 miles can be a pleasant and convenient way to explore some of the best attractions of New England. However, before you hit the road, it's important to know how much it will cost you to get there and what routes are available.

Here's a breakdown of the different routes you can take from Boston to Providence along with the distance, time, and cost of each one based on current gas prices:

Route 1: I-95 South

This is the most direct and popular route from Boston to Providence. It takes you through some of the scenic routes of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, covering a distance of approximately 50 miles. It takes about 50 minutes to complete this drive, depending on traffic conditions.

If you take I-95 South, you can expect to pay around $8 in tolls, which includes the Tobin Bridge toll. The cost of gas for this route varies depending on the current gas prices. However, on average, you can expect to spend about $6 to $8 on gas for this route, depending on your vehicle's fuel economy.

Route 2: I-93 South and I-295 South

If you're looking to avoid the tolls on I-95 South, you can take I-93 South towards Canton and Exit 4, then merge onto I-295 South towards Warwick and Providence. This drive is slightly longer than Route 1 and covers a distance of around 57 miles. However, it could save you some money on tolls as there are no tolls on this route.

It takes approximately 1 hour to drive from Boston to Providence along this route, depending on traffic conditions. The cost of gas for this route is about $7 to $10, depending on current gas prices and your vehicle's fuel economy.

Route 3: Route 1A South and Route 114A South

This is a less direct route that takes you through some of the quieter areas of Massachusetts, including Revere, Saugus, and Lynn. It covers a distance of approximately 55 miles and takes about 1 hour to complete the drive, depending on traffic conditions.

Since there are no tolls along this route, the only cost you need to consider is the cost of gas. On average, it would require about $8 to $12, depending on current gas prices and your vehicle's fuel economy.

Route 4: I-90 West and I-295 South

This route is the longest of all the alternatives, covering a distance of about 70 miles, and takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete. However, it offers beautiful scenic views of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

Driving through the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-295 South, it's important to be aware of the tolls. The price of the tolls ranges from $3.50 to $5.50 when you opt for the open-road tolling system depending on your entry point.

You can expect to spend about $10 to $15 on gas for this route, depending on current gas prices and your vehicle's fuel economy.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the cost of driving from Boston, Massachusetts to Providence, Rhode Island depends on various factors, including your preferred route, gas prices, and tolls.

However, based on the current gas prices, we can say that the average cost ranges from $6 to $15, depending on the route you choose. If you're looking to save on tolls, Route 2 and Route 3 are your best options.

Regardless of which route you take, always remember to check the traffic conditions beforehand and stay safe on the road!