The Cost of Driving From Arvada, Colorado to Normal, Illinois: A Guide to Finding the Best Route

Are you planning a road trip from Arvada, Colorado to Normal, Illinois? It's a long journey, but it can be a fun adventure if you plan it right. One of the things you'll need to consider is the cost of driving. Gas prices and toll fees can add up quickly, so it's important to find the best route that suits your budget. In this guide, we'll explore different routes, the distance of each route, the time it takes, and the cost of each route based on current gas prices.

Route 1: I-76 E and I-80 E - The Fastest Route

The first route we'll explore is the fastest route by far. It takes approximately 16 hours and 30 minutes to drive from Arvada, Colorado to Normal, Illinois via I-76 E and I-80 E. The total distance is 1,085 miles.

According to GasBuddy, the average gas price in Colorado is $2.33 per gallon, and in Illinois, it's $2.67 per gallon. Assuming your car gets 25 miles per gallon, you would need about 43.4 gallons of gas for the entire trip. The total cost of gas would be approximately $101.09 for this route.

There are also tolls to consider. The toll fees for this route are $18.30 for the Nebraska Toll Pass and $47.30 for the Illinois I-Pass. The total cost of tolls would be approximately $65.60.

In summary, the total cost of this route (including gas and tolls) would be approximately $166.69.

Route 2: I-70 E and I-55 N - The Most Scenic Route

If you have a bit more time and want to take a more scenic route, then this is the one for you. This route takes approximately 17 hours and 30 minutes to drive from Arvada, Colorado to Normal, Illinois via I-70 E and I-55 N. The total distance is 1,115 miles.

As mentioned earlier, the current gas prices average at $2.33 per gallon in Colorado and $2.67 per gallon in Illinois. Assuming your car gets 25 miles per gallon, you would need about 44.6 gallons of gas for the entire trip. The total cost of gas would be approximately $104.07.

There are also some tolls to consider. The toll fees for this route are $18.60 for the Kansas Turnpike, $15.70 for the Missouri I-Pass, and $12.10 for the Illinois I-Pass. The total cost of tolls would be approximately $46.40.

In summary, the total cost of this route (including gas and tolls) would be approximately $150.47.

Route 3: US-36 E and I-55 N - The Shortest Route

If you're looking for a shorter route, this one may be the best for you. This route takes approximately 17 hours and 45 minutes to drive from Arvada, Colorado to Normal, Illinois via US-36 E and I-55 N. The total distance is 1,104 miles.

The current cost of gas is still averaging at $2.33 per gallon in Colorado and $2.67 per gallon in Illinois. You would need about 44.1 gallons of gas for the entire trip. The total cost of gas would be approximately $102.78.

There are also tolls to consider. The toll fees for this route are $16.70 for the Kansas Turnpike and $12.10 for the Illinois I-Pass. The total cost of tolls would be $28.80.

In summary, the total cost of this route (including gas and tolls) would be approximately $131.58.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it's important to consider the cost of driving when planning a long road trip. Based on current gas prices, the fastest route (I-76 E and I-80 E) would cost approximately $166.69, the most scenic route (I-70 E and I-55 N) would cost approximately $150.47, and the shortest route (US-36 E and I-55 N) would cost approximately $131.58. Consider your budget and the time frame you have, and plan accordingly. Safe travels!