The Cost of a Trip between Black Diamond and Bellingham based on Current Gas Prices

Planning a trip involves more than just deciding on the destination and packing your bags. It also includes deciding on the most efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation. If you're traveling between Black Diamond and Bellingham in Washington State, there are several routes to choose from, each with different distances and costs. In this article, we'll break down the different routes, their corresponding costs, and provide our recommendation for the best route based on current gas prices.

Route 1: Via I-5N

The first route to consider when traveling from Black Diamond to Bellingham is via Interstate 5 North (I-5N). The total distance between the two cities via this route is approximately 145 miles, and the estimated travel time is around 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on traffic. If you have a car that gets an average of 20 miles per gallon (mpg) and gas is $3.00 per gallon, then the estimated cost of gas for one-way would be around $22.50, making the round trip cost $45.

One advantage of taking this route is that it's the quickest and most direct, as it's a major highway that leads straight to Bellingham. However, it's also the route with the highest traffic congestion during peak hours, which can cause significant delays and add to your overall travel time and costs.

Route 2: Via WA-410 E and WA-167 N

An alternative route to consider when traveling from Black Diamond to Bellingham is via Washington State Route 410 East (WA-410 E) and Washington State Route 167 North (WA-167 N). The total distance for this route is approximately 170 miles, and the estimated travel time is around 3 hours and 15 minutes, depending on traffic. If you have a car that gets an average of 20 mpg and gas is $3.00 per gallon, then the estimated cost of gas for one-way would be around $26, making the round trip cost $52.

While this route is longer and takes more time, it also offers the advantage of scenic views, as it goes through national parks and forests. It's also less congested than I-5N during peak hours, which can save you time and reduce your travel costs.

Route 3: Via WA-410 E and US-2 W

Another option when traveling from Black Diamond to Bellingham is via Washington State Route 410 East (WA-410 E) and US Highway 2 West (US-2 W). This route covers a total distance of approximately 200 miles, and the estimated travel time is around 4 hours and 15 minutes, depending on traffic. If you have a car that gets an average of 20 mpg and gas is $3.00 per gallon, then the estimated cost of gas for one-way would be around $30, making the round trip cost $60.

This route is longer and takes more time than the other routes, but it also offers the advantage of scenic views, including the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound. It's important to note that this route also has many twists and turns and can be challenging while driving, especially during adverse weather conditions.

Recommendation

After evaluating the different routes and their corresponding distances and costs, we recommend taking the first route via I-5N, which is the most direct and offers the shortest travel time. While this route may have higher traffic congestion and travel costs during peak hours, it's still the most efficient and practical route for most travelers. If you prefer to take a scenic route with less traffic congestion and travel time is not of critical importance to you, the second and third routes are also viable options to consider.

Conclusion

When planning a trip between Black Diamond and Bellingham in Washington State, it's important to consider the most efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation. There are several routes to choose from, each with different distances, traffic congestion, and travel costs. By evaluating these factors and considering your preferences and priorities, you can choose the best route that meets your needs. In our recommendation, we suggest taking the first route via I-5N, which offers the shortest travel time and is the most direct. Whatever route you choose, we wish you a safe and enjoyable trip!