The Cost of a Trip between Azusa, California and Riverside, California: Navigating Gas Prices in 2021

California is a beautiful state with an array of sights and sounds to behold. From the deserts in the east to the waterfalls in the north, there is something for everyone. If you're planning a trip between Azusa and Riverside, you might be wondering how much it will cost you, especially with fluctuating gas prices. In this article, we'll look at the various routes available and highlight their respective costs and distances. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision about your travel plans, making sure you take full advantage of the options available whilst managing to keep your gas cost as low as possible.

Route 1: Interstate 10 (I-10)

The first and most direct route, which covers 51.9 miles, is I-10. If you take this route, be prepared to pay a minimum of $5.40 in gas expenses to complete a one-way trip, based on average gas prices in California. However, if you are driving a more effcient car, you might be able to cut down that cost to about $3.97 or even less per one-way trip. It's important to note that travel times can vary depending on traffic conditions and the time of day. Weekday morning rush hours might make this route congested and cause delays.

Route 2: Foothill Freeway (210) and Pomona Freeway (60)

If you're looking for a slightly shorter route, consider taking the Foothill Freeway (210) and the Pomona Freeway (60). This route is longer than I-10, but it's still relatively direct, spanning 53.5 miles total. While this route has a few turns, it's an excellent option if you're looking to avoid traffic congestion around the Covina Hills. You'll need to fill up your gas tank at least once during the trip, which will cost you approximately $5.50 based on California's current gas prices. However, if you manage to drive a fuel-efficient car, you might cut this cost per one-way trip to around $4.25 or less, depending on mileage. This route will avoid the I-10, which might be more convenient for those who are not used to driving around long-distance highways.

Route 3: Pomona Freeway (60) and Route 91

Another viable option is to take the Pomona Freeway (60) and Route 91. This route is the longest of the three, covering a total of 64.4 miles. Though it's the furthest out of the possible routes we're highlighting here, it's an excellent option if you're looking to avoid the I-10 entirely. This option introduces several turns, so be sure to have your navigator or Google maps open to avoid getting lost or making a wrong turn. As for the gas expenses, filling up once would cost you approximately $6.06 based on current gas prices in California, though this cost per one-way trip can drop to about $4.70 or less, depending on the car you're driving. Since this route is longer, you should anticipate more time spent on the road than the other possible routes.

Now that we've carefully examined the three different routes between Azusa and Riverside and their respective costs, let's take a look at our recommendation.

Recommendation: I-10

Here is what we recommend: take the I-10. This option is the most straightforward and direct, making it ideal for drivers on a tight schedule. Although this route can get congested during peak hours, it's an excellent option if you need to make it to Riverside in a hurry. It's also the shortest, with less fuel consumption for the one-way trip compared to the other routes. It guarantees a hassle-free driving experience in a familiar, open-highway setup, too.

Conclusion

If you're looking to make a trip from Azusa to Riverside, there are several routes available for you to consider. Each route has different advantages and disadvantages, with accompanying costs as we've highlighted in our analysis. from the above, the I-10 emerges the cheapest and most convenient option if you're driving a car with average or moderately good gas efficiency. However, if you have an economical car model, you might try the then longer Pontana (210) and Pomona (60) route to save an extra buck. Proper planning before your trip can help you save a significant amount of money on gas, especially in California's ever-changing gas prices. Ultimately, the route you take will depend on your specific needs and preferences.