The Cost of a Trip Between Bloomington and West Lafayette in Today's Gas Prices
Traveling from Bloomington to West Lafayette is a common route in Indiana due to the two well-known universities located in those cities: Indiana University and Purdue University. Whether traveling for business, leisure, or a college visit, determining the cost of the trip is essential. Many factors influence the cost of travel, such as the type of transportation, gas prices, and possible detours. This article will provide essential information on the cost of a Bloomington to West Lafayette trip, highlighting the possible routes, their distances, and respective fuel costs.
The Possible Routes
The following are the three possible routes to travel from Bloomington to West Lafayette:
Route 1: I-69N and US-231N
This route consists of taking I-69 North towards Indianapolis and then switching to US-231 North towards West Lafayette. The distance between Bloomington to West Lafayette using this route is approximately 108 miles.
Route 2: IN-37N and IN-25W
The second route involves taking IN-37 North to Martinsville, then IN-39 North to Lebanon, and finally IN-25W North to West Lafayette. This route is slightly longer than the first one, with a total distance of approximately 123 miles.
Route 3: IN-46W and IN-231N
The third route consists of taking IN-46 West to Spencer, then IN-231 North to West Lafayette. This route is the longest, with a distance of approximately 140 miles.
Analyzing the Costs
The cost of a Bloomington to West Lafayette trip changes depending on the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, gas prices, and the route taken. For this analysis, we will consider current gas prices in Indiana and a car with an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon.
Gas Prices
As of August 2021, the average gas price in Indiana is $3.17 per gallon. It is safe to assume that gas prices will not significantly fluctuate over a short period, so this price can be considered reliable.
Route 1: I-69N and US-231N
Driving from Bloomington to West Lafayette through I-69N and US-231N takes around two hours and requires approximately 4.32 gallons of gas each way. Therefore, a round trip using this route would need approximately 8.64 gallons of gas, costing approximately $27.40.
Route 2: IN-37N and IN-25W
The longer route through IN-37 N, IN-39 N, and IN-25W N takes approximately two hours and forty minutes to drive each way. The distance is around 123 miles and requires 4.92 gallons of gas each way, making a round trip cost approximately $31.06.
Route 3: IN-46W and IN-231N
The longest route through IN-46W and IN-231N to West Lafayette takes approximately three hours to drive each way, and the distance is roughly 140 miles. The round trip for this route requires 5.6 gallons of gas each way, making for a total of 11.2 gallons, costing approximately $35.39.
The Best Route
Overall, Route 1, I-69N and US-231N, is the most fuel-efficient route and also takes the least amount of time to travel. Although it is the shortest, the time saved by taking I-69N is significant. It is essential to note that this analysis only considers the gas expense and does not include other potential expenses like toll roads, parking fees, or vehicle maintenance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cost of a Bloomington to West Lafayette trip is dependent on the route taken, fuel efficiency, and current gas prices. The most fuel-efficient route to take is by utilizing I-69N and US-231N. This route not only takes the least amount of time to travel, but it is also the most cost-effective based on gas prices. However, each driver should independently decide the route to take based on their personal preference, importance of time, and finances.