The Cost of a Trip between Birmingham, Alabama and Meadowbrook, Alabama
Are you planning a trip from Birmingham, Alabama to Meadowbrook, Alabama? As with any trip, you want to make sure you plan accordingly. One of the biggest factors in planning a trip is the cost of travel. In this article, we will explore the different possible routes and highlight the cost and distance of each one to help you plan your trip and save some money.
Possible Routes
There are multiple possible routes when traveling from Birmingham to Meadowbrook. The three most popular routes include taking US-280 E, taking I-459 S and Grants Mill Road, and taking I-20 E and Cahaba River Rd.
US-280 E
The first route is taking US-280 E, which is a direct route that stretches for 8.5 miles. This route will take you through the city and have you turn left onto Cahaba River Road before turning right onto Meadow Brook Road, which is the destination. This route doesn't have much traffic and is a good option if you want to avoid heavy traffic jams. The estimated travel time using this route is around 20 minutes.
I-459 S and Grants Mill Road
The second route is the I-459 S and Grants Mill Road, which is a bit longer than US-280 E, but you'll have more options for your journey. This route is 10.5 miles long and it will take you through I-459 S and then exit onto grants mill road, where you continue down for 3 miles until turning left onto Cahaba River Road and then right onto Meadow Brook Road. The travel time estimated for this route is around 23 minutes.
I-20 E and Cahaba River Rd
The third route to choose from is the I-20 E and Cahaba River Rd, which is the longest and is the best option for those driving from the west end of Birmingham. This route is 11.5 miles long and takes you through I-20 E, exit onto Old Leeds Rd. in Mountain Brook and then onto Cahaba River Rd. before turning right onto Meadow Brook Road. The estimated travel time on this route is around 28 minutes.
Cost Comparison
When it comes to managing your travel budget, the cost comparison of different routes becomes essential. The cost of different routes will largely depend on factors such as your vehicle's fuel efficiency, the prevailing gas prices, toll charges, and other expenses such as parking fees.
Fuel Efficiency
Assuming you are driving a car that gets an average of 25 mpg, you'll need to fill up your gas tank several times during the trip. You can expect to get around 14 miles per gallon while driving in the city, so we will calculate with these numbers in mind.
Gas Prices
According to AAA, as of April 2021, the average gas price in Alabama is $2.70 per gallon. Using this number, we can calculate the cost of gas for each route.
Route Cost Calculation
To calculate the cost of travel for each route, we need to know the total distance to be covered. The shortest distance is 8.5 miles while the longest is 11.5 miles. Here is a breakdown of the cost for each route:
US-280 E
Total distance: 8.5 miles
Fuel cost: 8.5 miles / 25 mpg x $2.70 per gallon = $0.92 Total cost: $0.92
I-459 S and Grants Mill Road
Total distance: 10.5 miles
Fuel cost: 10.5 miles / 25 mpg x $2.70 per gallon = $1.13 Toll charges: $0.50 Total cost: $1.63
I-20 E and Cahaba River Rd
Total distance: 11.5 miles
Fuel cost: 11.5 miles / 25 mpg x $2.70 per gallon = $1.24 Total cost: $1.24
Recommended route
The recommended route from the cost point of view is taking US-280 E. It is the shortest route with the lowest fuel cost of only $0.92. The travel time is also the shortest at 20 minutes. However, the other routes can be considered if you prefer a dynamic driving experience and better scenic views.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are various routes to consider in traveling from Birmingham to Meadowbrook, and each has its own pros and cons. When planning a trip, make sure to consider the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, prevailing gas prices, toll charges, and other expenses. We hope this cost comparison of the different routes has been helpful. We recommend taking US-280 E as the cheapest, fastest and most direct route. Safe travels!