Road Trip Cost Comparison: Bolingbrook, Illinois to Dallas, Texas
Are you planning a road trip from Bolingbrook, Illinois to Dallas, Texas, but you're not sure which route to take? There are several options to consider depending on your budget, time constraints, and distance preference. In this article, we'll break down the cost of each route and recommend the best option for your needs.
Route 1: I-55 and I-44
This route offers the shortest distance between Bolingbrook and Dallas, spanning 928 miles and taking approximately 14 hours of driving time. To get started, hop onto I-55 South and stay there until you reach St. Louis, MO. From there, merge onto I-44 West and head straight to Tulsa, OK. Once you've arrived in Tulsa, switch to I-75 South and continue until you reach McKinney, TX, which will lead you directly south to Dallas.
Gas Prices
Based on current gas prices (as of August 2021), you should expect to pay a total of $133 for gas on this route. That's based on an average car that gets 25 miles per gallon and an average gas price of $3.15 per gallon.
Other expenses
You may choose to stay overnight at a hotel along the way to avoid the 14-hour drive. In that case, you should budget around $100-$200 per night. Additionally, you'll have to pay for tolls and meals along the way, which could add up to another $50-$100.
Total estimated cost
Assuming you drive straight through and don't stop for any major expenses like hotels, you can expect to pay around $183-$283 in total for this route.
Route 2: I-55 and I-40
This route is slightly longer, spanning 990 miles and taking approximately 15 hours of driving time. Begin your journey the same way as Route 1, heading down I-55 South until you reach St. Louis. From there, merge onto I-40 West and drive all the way to Little Rock, AR. Once you've arrived in Little Rock, switch back to I-30 West and take this all the way to Dallas.
Gas Prices
Based on current gas prices, you should expect to pay around $142 for gas on this route. That's also based on an average car that gets 25 miles per gallon and an average gas price of $3.15 per gallon.
Other expenses
As with Route 1, you should budget for hotels, tolls, and meals along the way. You may also encounter some construction or traffic delays on I-40, which could slow down your travel time.
Total estimated cost
Assuming you don't stop for an overnight hotel and just take care of the other expenses like tolls and meals, you can expect to pay around $192-$292 in total for this route.
Route 3: I-55 and I-35
This route is the longest but offers more scenic views of the Midwest and Southwest regions of the US. The total distance is 1,040 miles and takes approximately 16 hours of driving time. Start off by taking I-55 South until you reach St. Louis, then switch over to I-44 West and drive all the way down to Oklahoma City, OK. From here, switch over to I-35 South and take this highway all the way to Dallas.
Gas Prices
Based on current gas prices, you should expect to pay around $157 for gas on this route. Again, this is based on an average car that gets 25 miles per gallon and an average gas price of $3.15 per gallon.
Other expenses
Like the previous routes, budget for tolls, meals, and hotel expenses if you need to stop for the night.
Total estimated cost
Assuming you don't need to stop for an overnight hotel, you can expect to pay around $207-$307 in total for this route.
Recommendation
Out of the three routes, we recommend Route 1 (I-55 and I-44) due to its shorter distance and lower cost. However, if you prefer a more scenic drive, Route 3 (I-55 and I-35) may be a better option for you.
Conclusion
No matter which route you choose, be sure to plan accordingly for gas, tolls, meals, and accommodations. With current gas prices averaging $3.15 per gallon, you can expect to pay anywhere from $133 to $157 for gas alone on your trip from Bolingbrook, Illinois to Dallas, Texas. You can also factor in additional expenses like hotels and meals, which may add between $150 to $300 to your total trip cost. With careful planning and an eye on your budget, you're sure to have an enjoyable and cost-effective road trip.