The Cost of a Trip between Brea and Torrance: Best Route and Fuel Expenses

When planning a road trip, one of the most important aspects to consider is the cost, particularly the fuel expenses. Brea and Torrance are two cities located in Southern California, and the route between them offers several options. In this article, we will break down the different possible routes, their distance and respective fuel costs, and recommend the best route based on current gas prices.

Route Options

The most common routes between Brea and Torrance are the following:

Route 1: via CA-91 W, I-405 S

This route begins at Brea and takes CA-91 W, then it merges onto I-405 S. After approximately 24 miles, it ends at Torrance. The total distance of this route is approximately 29.5 miles.

Route 2: via I-5 S and I-405 S

This route begins at Brea and takes I-5 S. Then, it merges onto I-405 S, which leads to Torrance after approximately 37 miles. The total distance of this route is approximately 43 miles.

Route 3: via CA-57 S, CA-22 W, I-405 S

This route begins at Brea and takes CA-57 S, then it merges onto CA-22 W. After that, it merges onto I-405 S, which leads to Torrance after approximately 30 miles. The total distance of this route is approximately 34 miles.

Fuel Expenses

The fuel expenses for a round trip that includes each of the previously mentioned routes varies according to the fuel prices, car efficiency, and other factors. The following estimates are based on the fuel prices as of September 2021, which are approximately $4.30 per gallon for regular gas in California.

Route 1: via CA-91 W, I-405 S

This route requires approximately 1.5 gallons of gas for a one-way trip, with a total cost of around $6.45. Thus, a round trip would cost approximately $12.90.

Route 2: via I-5 S and I-405 S

This route requires approximately 2.1 gallons of gas for a one-way trip, with a total cost of around $9.03. Thus, a round trip would cost approximately $18.06.

Route 3: via CA-57 S, CA-22 W, I-405 S

This route requires approximately 1.7 gallons of gas for a one-way trip, with a total cost of around $7.31. Thus, a round trip would cost approximately $14.62.

Recommendation

Based on the distance and fuel expenses, it is recommended to take Route 1, via CA-91 W, I-405 S. This route has the shortest distance, and it requires the least amount of gas, thus resulting in lower fuel expenses.

While Route 2 has an accessible and direct freeway, I-5 can be congested, and I-405 can have traffic in certain parts of the day. Similarly, Route 3 includes a significant distance on State Route 57, which can also have traffic during peak hours.

Therefore, Route 1 is the most efficient and convenient alternative, with a shorter distance, lower fuel expenses, and fewer traffic concerns.

Conclusion

Planning a road trip between Brea and Torrance, in Southern California, involves comparing the different routes, their distance, and fuel expenses. After evaluating the above route options based on current gas prices, it is recommended to take Route 1, via CA-91 W, I-405 S. This route has the shortest distance and requires the least amount of gas, resulting in lower fuel expenses. A round trip would cost approximately $12.90 for fuel expenses, and depending on the traffic conditions, it would take approximately 30 to 45 minutes each way.