The Cost of a Trip Between Bonner Springs, Kansas, and Joplin, Missouri: Best Route Based on Current Gas Prices
Traveling from Bonner Springs, Kansas, to Joplin, Missouri, can be an exciting road trip filled with moments of awe and wonder as you drive through enchanting towns and beautiful landscapes. However, whether you are traveling for business or leisure, it's essential to know the different routes available to you and their associated costs. This article aims to explore the various routes available between these two locations and recommend the best route based on current gas prices.
The Routes Available
When traveling from Bonner Springs, Kansas, to Joplin, Missouri, there are two primary routes: driving north through Lawrence or driving south through Springfield.
The Route through Springfield
The route through Springfield is the longer of the two routes, covering a distance of approximately 243 miles, and will take you about four hours to complete depending on traffic and other factors. The route takes you through cities like Pittsburg, Neosho, and Joplin. Notably, the route does not have any toll roads.
The Route through Lawrence
The route through Lawrence is shorter than the Springfield route, covering a distance of approximately 165 miles, and will take about 2.5 hours to complete depending on traffic. This route takes you to Kansas City, where you'll go south on I-49 to Joplin. Additionally, this route takes you through two toll roads, the Kansas Turnpike and the Will Rogers Turnpike.
The Costs Associated with Each Route
The cost of a road trip is not just the price of gas, but also tolls, food, lodging, and other travel-related expenses. Here are the expected costs associated with each route.
The Route through Springfield
The route through Springfield is a cheaper route when it comes to tolls, as it doesn't have any. Using gas prices from gasbuddy.com as of September 2021, the average cost of gas per gallon for Kansas and Missouri is $2.79 and $2.66, respectively.
Given the distance of 243 miles, you can anticipate using approximately 8 to 10 gallons of gas for the entire trip. Therefore, the average cost of gas for this route ranges between $22.32 to $27.90. However, be aware that you may run into toll roads on other routes and need to factor in the cost of those separately.
The Route through Lawrence
The route through Lawrence has two tolls, the Kansas Turnpike and the Will Rogers Turnpike. The cost of the Kansas Turnpike toll depends on your vehicle's classification, with passenger cars paying $3.50. On the other hand, the Will Rogers Turnpike toll costs $2.75 for passenger vehicles.
The estimated distance from Bonner Springs to Joplin through this route is approximately 165 miles, meaning you can expect to use about 6 to 8 gallons of gas. Therefore, the average cost of gas for this route ranges between $16.74 to $22.32. After toll costs of $6.25, the total cost of this route ranges between $23.99 to $28.57.
Recommendations for the Best Route
While both routes may be suitable for your travel needs, we recommend the route through Lawrence. Even though it has two tolls fees, the price difference is not that significant.
Additionally, the route through Lawrence will take a shorter time to complete. Depending on traffic and other factors, it can take up to 2.5 hours, whereas the route through Springfield can take up to four hours. You can, therefore, save both time and money by taking the Bonner Springs route through Lawrence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, taking the time to plan your trip route and costs can significantly impact your budget and travel experience. While there are different routes available between Bonner Springs, Kansas, and Joplin, Missouri, choosing the one through Lawrence can be the most cost-effective. With two tollbooths along the way, you may spend slightly more on the Lawrence route; however, you will also save time, which is equally important. Be sure to plan for other travel expenses such as food, lodging, and other incidentals to make the most of your trip.