The Cost of a Trip from Blaine to Excelsior: Navigating the Road with Current Gas Prices

Whether you’re a resident of Blaine looking to take a trip to Excelsior, or a tourist hoping to see some of the best sights in Minnesota, the cost of a trip can be a major factor. With fluctuating gas prices, it’s easy to wonder whether you should stay local or chart a course for unexplored territories. In this article, we’ll look at the various routes that connect Blaine to Excelsior, along with their distances and costs, in order to help you make the right decision.

Route 1: I-494 W

The first route on our list is the I-494 W, which runs from Blaine, MN to Excelsior, MN. This route is the most direct and will take you through the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. It begins at the junction of I-94 and takes you south through different cities such as Maple Grove, Plymouth, Minnetonka, and Hopkins.

This route is approximately 24 miles long, and depending on the type of vehicle you are using, you can estimate one gallon of gas being used to cover an average of 26.4 miles. Assuming gas prices are currently around $3.00 per gallon, this trip will cost a minimum of $2.73.

Route 2: US-169 S

The second route on our list is the US-169 S, running south from Blaine through Minneapolis, and Edmund Boulevard, to Excelsior. This route is also a direct one, but unlike the I-494 W, it goes through the city of Minneapolis, which may add some delays and a different driving experience to your trip.

This route covers a distance of approximately 28 miles, and using data from earlier, a gallon of gas is estimated to cover an average of 26.4 miles. Based on current gas prices at $3’00 per gallon, this trip will cost a minimum of $3.18.

Route 3: I-35W S

Our third route on the list is the I-35W S. This route takes you through the suburbs of Minnesota, past the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, through Minneapolis, and onto Excelsior. This is not the shortest route but might have great sceneries and tourist attractions along the way.

Although not as short as the first two routes, this route is still relatively direct, and this is the reason many tourists and locals enjoy because it exteriors different busy cities. It covers a distance of approximately 30 miles. Based on previous calculations, a gallon of gas is estimated to cover an average of 26.4 miles. At $3.00 per gallon, this trip will cost a minimum of $3.41.

Route 4: US-10 W

The fourth route on our list is the US-10 W. This is the longest route on our list, and although it may not be as direct, it covers great and small cities with stunning tourist attractions. This route goes through Oak Park Heights, Stillwater, and Saint Paul, before connecting to I-494 W in Plymouth. This route is primarily perfect for tourists or individuals interested in leisure road trips rather than a direct and fast route.

This route is approximately 40 miles, and using previous gas prices, a gallon of gas is estimated to cover an average of 26.4 miles. At $3.00 per gallon, this trip will cost a minimum of $4.55.

The Best Route

After looking at these routes, the choice of which route to choose depends on personal preference and trip objective. The I-494 W route may be faster and more direct, while the US-10 W route may take you past more tourist attractions and stunning sceneries.

In terms of cost, the I-494 W route is the cheapest since it covers the shortest distance, and a gallon of gas can go farther. If you're looking for an enjoyable and leisure trip, we recommend the US-10 W route, despite its higher cost, but tourists on a budget should consider the I-494 W route.

Conclusion

Navigating the roads in Minnesota can be a great experience, and with this article, we have helped you understand the various routes connecting Blaine to Excelsior and the associated costs and distances. Whether you are a resident or tourist, we hope that you'll find this information helpful, and choose the right route that works best for you. Safe travels!