The Cost of a Trip Between Big Lake and Olivia, Minnesota: Navigating Gas Prices in 2021

If you're planning a trip from Big Lake to Olivia, Minnesota, you may be wondering about the cost of gas, as gas prices can vary depending on the route you take. In this article, we'll break down the different possible routes and highlight the cost and the distance of each one. We'll also recommend the best route based on current gas prices in 2021.

Route 1: Via MN-25 N

The first possible route to get from Big Lake to Olivia, Minnesota, is via MN-25 N. This route is approximately 107 miles and takes around two hours to drive without traffic. Heading north on MN-25 will take you through some beautiful countryside, including Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Rebecca Park Reserve.

However, the cost of gas on this route can vary depending on where you fill up. A gallon of gas currently costs an average of $2.87 in Minnesota, according to AAA, but prices can fluctuate depending on the gas station. For example, in Elk River, which is about 12 miles out of Big Lake, the cost of gas can range from $2.79 to $2.99 per gallon. Better deals can often be found in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.

Assuming you have a car that gets an average of 25 miles per gallon, you'll need approximately 4.28 gallons of gas to make it from Big Lake to Olivia. At $2.87 per gallon, you'd be spending about $12.29 on gas for this leg of your journey. However, if you fill up in Elk River at the higher end of the price range, you'll spend about $12.81 on gas.

Route 2: Via US-169 S and MN-19 E

Another possible route to get from Big Lake to Olivia, Minnesota, is via US-169 S and MN-19 E. This route is approximately 130 miles and takes around two and a half hours to drive without traffic.

Heading south on US-169 will take you through the Twin Cities metropolitan area, so be prepared for some traffic. However, this route also takes you through beautiful countryside, including parts of the Minnesota River Valley and the Upper Sioux Agency State Park.

The cost of gas on this route can also vary depending on where you fill up. If you fill up in Minneapolis or St. Paul, be prepared to pay more for a gallon of gas. Currently, some gas stations in the Twin Cities are charging as much as $3.20 per gallon. In contrast, if you fill up closer to Big Lake, you could pay as little as $2.99 per gallon.

Assuming you have a car that gets an average of 25 miles per gallon, you'll need approximately 5.2 gallons of gas to make it from Big Lake to Olivia on this route. At an average price of $2.87 per gallon, you'd be spending about $14.92 on gas for this leg of your journey. However, if you fill up in the Twin Cities metropolitan area at $3.20 per gallon, you'll spend about $16.64 on gas.

Route 3: Via I-94 W and MN-4 S

A third possible route to get from Big Lake to Olivia, Minnesota, is via I-94 W and MN-4 S. This route is approximately 130 miles and takes around two and a half hours to drive without traffic.

This route takes you through some beautiful countryside, including the Glacial Lakes State Park and the Sibley State Park. However, like Route 2, you'll also encounter some traffic if you pass through the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

The cost of gas on this route can also vary depending on where you fill up. If you fill up in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, you could pay as much as $3.20 per gallon for gas. However, if you fill up closer to Big Lake, you could pay as little as $2.99 per gallon.

Recommendation: Route 1

Based on our analysis of the different possible routes, we recommend Route 1 for the most cost-effective gas prices in 2021. Not only is this route the shortest at 107 miles, but you can also find gas for as low as $2.79 per gallon if you fill up in Elk River before heading out.

Assuming you have a car that gets an average of 25 miles per gallon, you'll need approximately 4.28 gallons of gas to make it from Big Lake to Olivia on this route. At $2.79 per gallon, you'd be spending about $11.96 on gas for this leg of your journey. Compared to the other routes, this is a savings of at least $0.33 per gallon.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cost of a trip between Big Lake and Olivia, Minnesota, can vary depending on the route you take and the price of gas at your expected fueling stops. Of the three possible routes we analyzed, Route 1 via MN-25 N is the shortest and most cost-effective, with potential savings of $0.33 per gallon compared to the other routes. With a little planning, you can navigate gas prices in 2021 and make the most of your travel budget.