Driving Cost from Bonney Lake, Washington to Oakville, Washington

A picture depicting a gas pump

The Cost of Traveling from Bonney Lake to Oakville: Navigating Gas Prices

Gas prices can make or break a road trip. Before hitting the open road, it's important to consider the cost of your journey to avoid any potential financial discrepancies. In this article, we will break down the cost of a trip between Bonney Lake, Washington and Oakville, Washington based on current gas prices. We will explore different possible routes, highlighting the cost and the distance of each one, and ultimately recommend the best route.

Route One: Via Interstate 5

The first and most direct route from Bonney Lake to Oakville is to take Interstate 5. The distance between the two cities is roughly 120 miles. On average, a car gets about 24 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway. Therefore, for this route, you will need about 5 gallons of gas. According to AAA, the average price of regular gas in Washington State as of July 2021 is $3.70 per gallon. With that calculation, you will spend approximately $18.50 on gas to make this trip.

Route Two: Via State Route 7 and US 12

Another route option is to take State Route 7 and then merge onto US 12. This route is slightly longer, with a distance of approximately 130 miles. State Route 7 is generally a straight path, however, the route does eventually merge onto US 12 which has a number of winding turns to take into account. The recommended speed limit ranges from 45-55 miles per hour, therefore, gas consumption may be higher for stop-and-go actions. The average MPG for this route is 22 MPG. With this route, you will need about 5.9 gallons of gas. Using the same gas price calculation from the previous route, you will spend approximately $21.83 on gas to make this trip.

Route Three: Via WA-167 and US-12

Finally, you can take WA-167 and then merge onto US-12. This option is the longest route, clocking in at 145 miles. However, it offers a bit more scenic route through the Puyallup River Valley and through Mount Rainier National Park. The speed limit varies on this route, but generally stays within the range of 60-70 miles per hour. Therefore, gas consumption will be higher on this route. The average MPG for this route is 19 MPG. With this route, you will need about 7.6 gallons of gas. Using the same gas price calculation, you will spend approximately $28.22 on gas to make this trip.

Option one, traveling via Interstate 5, provides the most direct route with the shortest distance and the least amount of required gas. This route is also the quickest, with the average time of travel being two hours, sometimes even less. Option two, via State Route 7 and US 12, has a slightly longer distance, with more twists and turns but also offers a few attractions on the way, such as Mayfield Lake and Riffe Lake. Option three, via WA-167 and US-12 is the longest distance, but offers the best scenery, with the opportunity to see Mount Rainier and other natural wonders. However, this route requires significantly more gas, which may not be ideal for everyone's budget.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cost of traveling from Bonney Lake, Washington to Oakville, Washington is affected by current gas prices. Three route options were presented and analyzed based on distance and fuel consumption. The first route, via Interstate 5, is the quickest and requires the least amount of gas, making it the most affordable option. Choosing an ideal route ultimately depends on personal preference and budget. Regardless of which route you take, remember to take necessary safety precautions while driving and enjoy the road trip!