The Cost of a Trip Between Bloomington and Saint Paul in the Age of High Gas Prices

If you live in the Bloomington, Minnesota area, you might be wondering how much it will cost to make a trip to Saint Paul, Minnesota. This article will provide you with an overview of some of the most common routes between the two cities and how much you can expect to spend on gasoline. With gas prices on the rise, it’s important to understand how much you’ll be spending on your trip ahead of time.

Route 1: I-35W North

The first route to consider is taking I-35W North straight up to Saint Paul. This route is roughly 16 miles long and takes around 20 minutes to reach your destination, assuming you don’t hit any traffic. According to AAA, the average fuel cost per mile is $0.15. With this in mind, the total cost of the trip when gas is $3.09 a gallon is approximately $2.45.

Route 2: Hwy 77 North

Another route to take is highway 77 North. This route is a bit longer than I-35W North, but it might be faster depending on the time of day. The total distance is roughly 18 miles and takes around 30 minutes. Assuming there is no traffic, the total cost for gasoline will be around $2.73.

Route 3: Hwy 62 East

If you’re coming from the western part of Bloomington, you might want to consider taking Highway 62 East to Saint Paul. This route is roughly 25 miles long and takes approximately 35 minutes. While it might be a bit longer, it could save you time if you’re traveling during rush hour. The total gas cost for this route would be around $3.68.

Route 4: The Scenic Route: The Mississippi River Road

Another option that you might want to consider is taking the scenic route and driving up the Mississippi River Road. This route is approximately 24 miles long and takes roughly 45 minutes to reach your destination. The gas cost for this route is approximately $3.14.

Recommendation

While all of these options are viable, I recommend taking I-35W North whenever possible. This is the shortest and most direct route between Bloomington and Saint Paul, and it also has the lowest gas cost. If you live further to the west, Highway 62 East might be a better choice for reducing traffic, but keep in mind it’s more expensive on gas.

Conclusion

If you’re planning a trip from Bloomington to Saint Paul, knowing the gas cost ahead of time can be incredibly helpful in budgeting for expenses. It’s important to understand that prices can fluctuate and these gas prices are based off AAA’s averages, which can be updated. Depending on your starting point, there are several routes to consider. We recommend staying on I-35W North whenever possible, but if you’re looking for a scenic drive, the Mississippi River Road might be the right choice for you. Whatever route you choose, be sure to add in enough time while traveling to account for traffic and make sure the cost works within your budget. Safe travels!