Driving Cost from Bloomington, Illinois to City of Albany, New York

A picture depicting a gas pump

The Cost of a Trip Between Bloomington, IL and Albany, NY in Today's Gas Prices

Planning road trips always involves weighing your options in terms of cost, time, and convenience. When it comes to traveling between Bloomington, Illinois, and Albany, New York, there are several possible routes that you can take. Each option comes with different distances, driving times, and gas prices that will influence your budget. In this article, we will explore the cost of a trip between Bloomington and Albany based on current gas prices, highlighting the various routes you can take, and recommending the best one.

Route Options

There are three main routes that you can take when traveling between Bloomington and Albany. The most direct route follows I-80 East, passing through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and finally, New York. Another option is to take I-55 North to Chicago, then I-90 East towards Cleveland, before taking I-87 North towards Albany. The third option is to take I-57 North to Chicago, from where you can take I-90 East towards Buffalo, before reaching Albany via I-87 South. Here is a breakdown of the distance, driving time, and gas cost for each route based on a mid-size car with a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon and a gas price of $3.10 per gallon.

Route 1: I-80 East

  • Distance: 887 miles
  • Driving Time: 13 hours, 35 minutes
  • Gas Cost (one trip): $133

Starting in Bloomington, you will take I-55 North and merge onto I-80 East towards Toledo. From there, you will drive through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and finally, New York, before reaching Albany. This route offers the shortest distance but also the longest driving time, as it involves crossing through several states. If your priority is to arrive at your destination as quickly as possible and don't mind spending more time on the road, this route might work for you.

Route 2: I-55 North and I-90 East

  • Distance: 1015 miles
  • Driving Time: 15 hours, 15 minutes
  • Gas Cost (one trip): $153

This route involves taking I-55 North towards Chicago, where you will merge onto I-90 East towards Cleveland. From there, you will take I-87 North towards Albany. This option takes you through the Windy City and the shores of Lake Erie, but it adds an extra 128 miles to your trip compared to Route 1. However, if you enjoy driving through scenic routes and want a taste of city life, this route might be worth considering.

Route 3: I-57 North and I-90 East

  • Distance: 986 miles
  • Driving Time: 15 hours, 35 minutes
  • Gas Cost (one trip): $148

The third option involves taking I-57 North towards Chicago and then merging onto I-90 East towards Buffalo. From there, you will take I-87 South towards Albany. This route offers a mid-point stop in Chicago, with only seven miles difference in distance from Route 2. However, it does involve driving through Buffalo, which might not be the most scenic part of your trip.

Based on the factors of distance, driving time, and gas cost, Route 1 is the most recommended option for traveling between Bloomington and Albany. Despite being the shortest of the three, it costs the least in terms of gas and offers a direct route that allows you to reach your destination faster than the other options.

Conclusion

Traveling between Bloomington, Illinois, and Albany, New York, involves taking one of three main routes that come with different distances, driving times, and gas prices. Based on the current gas price of $3.10 per gallon and a mid-size car's fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, Route 1 is the most recommended option for those who prioritize cost and time efficiency. It takes you directly from Illinois to New York, with fewer scenic detours than the other routes. If you plan on taking this route, make sure to fill up your gas tank before hitting the road. The trip takes 13 hours and 35 minutes before you reach your destination.