The Cost of Driving from Arlington Heights to Wilmette: A Guide Based on Current Gas Prices

As someone who loves to explore different cities and towns in the Chicago area, I'm always looking for new places to visit. One town that caught my eye recently is Wilmette, located just 17 miles north of Arlington Heights. Of course, before I take any road trip, I always like to plan ahead and calculate costs to make sure it's within my budget. In this post, I will share with you the different routes available for driving from Arlington Heights to Wilmette, highlight the distance, cost, and time of each route based on current gas prices and any tolls that may apply.

Route 1: Via I-94 E

The first route to Wilmette is via I-94 E, and it's the fastest at just 24 minutes of driving time. However, the distance from Arlington Heights to Wilmette is roughly 18.9 miles, and you have to pay some tolls. So how much does this route cost? Based on the current gas price of $2.80 per gallon, you’d need approximately $3.38 in gas for this route. In addition, there's a toll of $1.90, which brings the total cost to $5.28.

Route 2: Via IL-43 N

The second route to Wilmette is longer, with a driving distance of approximately 19.6 miles. Taking this route requires navigating city streets and traffic lights, so the driving time could take up to 37 minutes. If you choose this route, the cost is lower than the first one because you won't have to pay any tolls. Based on the current gas price of $2.80 per gallon, you would need approximately $3.54 in gas for this route. So the total cost would be around $3.54.

Route 3: Via I-294 N

The third route would be via I-294 N and is the longest of the three routes at just over 20 miles, taking approximately 29 minutes. In terms of cost, it is not that expensive. Based on the current gas prices of $2.80 per gallon, it would cost around $3.77 to make the trip. There also would not be any tolls associated with this route.

Conclusion

Based on current gas prices, driving to Wilmette can cost as little as $3.54 taking the IL-43 N route, $5.28 via I-94 E, or $3.77 via I-294 N. Each route has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to weigh them carefully before choosing the one that's best for you. If you're in a hurry and don't mind paying a toll, then the I-94 E route might be the best choice. But if you prefer avoiding tolls altogether, then the IL-43 N or I-294 N routes would be the way to go. Regardless of which route you choose, one thing is for sure: exploring Wilmette is definitely worth the trip!