The Cost of a Trip between Bloomingdale and Gurnee: Navigating the Route
Traveling between Bloomingdale, Illinois, and Gurnee, Illinois is a journey of approximately 40 miles, depending on the route taken. When planning your trip, there are a few factors to consider, including the route, transportation mode, gas prices, and other expenses. In this article, we will explore some of the most common routes between Bloomingdale and Gurnee and analyze the cost of each one, based on current gas prices.
The Routes
There are many possible routes that one can take when going from Bloomingdale to Gurnee. However, there are three main routes that most people tend to use: the I-290 W and I-94 W, the IL-390 W and I-294 N, and the IL-120 W and IL-43 N.
Route 1: I-290 W and I-94 W
The first route involves taking I-290 W and I-94 W. This is the most popular route for people traveling from Bloomingdale to Gurnee since it's relatively straightforward and takes only 1 hour, depending on traffic. The distance covered along this route is approximately 41 miles.
Route 2: IL-390 W and I-294 N
The second route involves taking IL-390 W and I-294 N. This is an alternative route that is often less congested than Route 1. The distance covered along this route is approximately 44 miles, and the trip duration is about 1 hour and 5 minutes.
Route 3: IL-120 W and IL-43 N
The third route involves taking IL-120 W and IL-43 N. This is the longest route, taking approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, depending on traffic. The distance covered along this route is approximately 49 miles.
The Costs
The cost of a trip from Bloomingdale to Gurnee depends on several factors, such as the type of transportation mode used, gas prices, tolls, and other expenses.
Gas Costs
Currently, the average gas price in Illinois is $2.96 per gallon, according to AAA. Based on the distance covered along the routes, and the average fuel efficiency of a passenger car, we can estimate the gas costs for each route.
| Route | Distance (miles) | Gallons of Gas | Gas Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-290 W and I-94 W | 41 | 1.5 | $4.44 |
| IL-390 W and I-294 N | 44 | 1.6 | $4.74 |
| IL-120 W and IL-43 N | 49 | 1.8 | $5.33 |
Toll Costs
In addition to gas costs, traveling along some of the routes also requires paying tolls. For Route 1, one will need to pay $1.50 at the I-294 toll plaza. For Route 2, the toll cost is $3.30 for full cash-paying customers. Route 3 does not have any significant tolls.
Other Expenses
Other expenses to consider when traveling between Bloomingdale and Gurnee include food, drinks, accommodation, and parking fees, if applicable. Depending on the time of day, one may need to buy food on the road or at their destination.
The Best Route
Based on our analysis, Route 1 is the most cost-effective option, with a total estimated cost of $5.94, including gas and tolls. Route 2 comes in second, with a total estimated cost of $8.04, while Route 3 is the most expensive, with a total estimated cost of $5.33 for gas only.
Although Route 3 may look like the shortest route, it involves more time and distance, and it's therefore more expensive. Route 1 is the most efficient since it takes the shortest time to get to Gurnee and has the fewest toll fees to pay.
Conclusion
Traveling between Bloomingdale and Gurnee is an adventurous trip, with various routes to choose from. The final route one decides to take will depend primarily on their preferences, time of day, and budget. To minimize costs, Route 1 is the best option since it's efficient and has fewer tolls to pay. Whichever route one chooses, it's essential to factor in the gas and toll costs and other expenses to avoid overspending. On average, one should expect to spend approximately 1 hour traveling along any of the routes.