Driving Cost from Blaine, Minnesota to Center City, Minnesota

A picture depicting a gas pump

The Cost of a Trip Between Blaine, Minnesota and Center City, Minnesota Based on Current Gas Prices

Are you planning a trip between Blaine, Minnesota and Center City, Minnesota? One of the factors you should consider is the cost of transportation, especially fuel, as it affects your budget. This article examines the possible routes you can take, the distance, and the cost based on current gas prices. As of August 2021, the average gas price in Minnesota is $2.95 per gallon, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

Route Options and Distance

There are several possible routes to take, each with its own distance and cost. Here are some of the routes you could consider:

Route 1: Via I-35W South and US-8 East

This is the shortest route, covering approximately 43 miles. It begins from Blaine, Minnesota, and ends in Center City, Minnesota. This route involves taking I-35W South from Blaine, then merging onto US-10 East towards Century Avenue. Drive for about 9 miles and take the exit towards US-61 North. After driving for another 22 miles, take a right turn onto Center City Road. Drive for about 1 mile and turn left onto West Broadway Avenue, where you will find your destination on the left side of the road.

Route 2: Via I-35E South and US-61 North

This is another route you could take, covering approximately 55 miles. Start by taking I-35E South from Blaine and driving for about 16 miles, then merge onto I-94 West. After driving for 1 mile, take exit 241B towards Kellogg Boulevard. Drive for about 0.7 miles and take a left turn onto Robert Street South. After driving for 1.2 miles, take a right turn onto West 7th Street. After driving for another 0.5 miles, take a left turn onto Smith Avenue North which leads you to US-61 North. Drive for approximately 27 miles and take a right turn onto Center City Road. After driving for about 1 mile, turn left onto West Broadway Avenue. Your destination will be on the left.

Route 3: Via I-35E South and MN-97

This is the longest route, covering approximately 58 miles. Take I-35E South from Blaine and after driving for about 16 miles, merge onto I-94 West. After driving for 1 mile, take exit 241B towards Kellogg Boulevard. Drive for about 0.7 miles and take a left turn onto Robert Street South. After driving for 0.5 miles, take a right turn onto 10th Street West. After driving for about 1 mile, turn left onto Walnut Street and after half a mile, turn right onto North Smith Avenue which leads you to MN-97. Drive for approximately 29 miles and then turn right onto Center City Road. After driving for about 1 mile, turn left onto West Broadway Avenue, and your destination will be on the left.

Cost of the Trip

To calculate the cost of the trip, we will use the distance between the two cities and the average gas price as discussed earlier. Assuming your car has an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon and gas costs $2.95 per gallon, here's what you should expect to spend:

  • Route 1: To cover the approximately 43 miles, you would need 1.72 gallons of gas, which would cost you approximately $5.07.
  • Route 2: To cover the approximately 55 miles, you would need 2.2 gallons of gas, which would cost you approximately $6.49.
  • Route 3: To cover the approximately 58 miles, you would need 2.32 gallons of gas, which would cost you approximately $6.84.

Keep in mind that these figures are estimates and depend on your car's actual fuel efficiency, the actual gas prices at the time of your travel and any other unforeseen expenses that could crop up.

Based purely on cost, Route 1 is clearly the most affordable. It's also the shortest and quickest, meaning you'll spend less time on the road. Route 2 is a close second, with slightly higher fuel costs than Route 1 but still giving you a fair amount of time savings. Route 3 should only be considered if you absolutely have to as it is the longest and has the highest fuel costs.

Conclusion

After reviewing all the three possible routes to travel between Blaine and Center City and calculating the cost of each based on current gas prices, it is recommended that you take Route 1 Via I-35W South and US-8 East with its fuel cost of approximately $5.07. The total distance covered is approximately 43 miles, and it should take you around 50 minutes to reach your destination. Safe travels!