Calculating the Cost of a Trip between Bridgeview, IL and Racine, WI
With the rising cost of gas in recent years, it’s important to consider how much a trip is going to cost before setting out. If you’re planning a road trip between Bridgeview, IL and Racine, WI, there are a number of factors to take into account when calculating the cost.
Distance and Routes
The distance between Bridgeview and Racine is approximately 86 miles. While there are a few ways to get from one city to the other, there are generally two main routes to choose from:
Route 1: Via I-94
The most direct route is to take I-294 north to I-94 east. This route will take you through some of the heavily trafficked portions of the Chicago suburbs before emerging onto the open road and crossing the border into Wisconsin.
One of the benefits of this route is that it’s mostly highway driving, so you can maintain a consistent speed for much of the journey. However, it’s also worth noting that Chicago traffic can be notoriously slow, especially during rush hour. If you’re travelling during peak traffic times, this route may take longer than you’d expect.
Route 2: Via US-41
Another option is to take US-41 north from Bridgeview. This route will take you through the suburbs and into downtown Chicago, before cutting up through Evanston and merging onto I-94 north of the city.
While this route is shorter in distance than Route 1, it can be much slower due to the urban environment you’ll be travelling through. Like Route 1, this route also exposes you to some of the worst of Chicago’s traffic congestion.
Cost Calculations
To calculate the cost of your trip, you’ll need to take a few variables into account. Here are a few of the most important:
Gas Prices
At the time of writing, the average gas price in Illinois is $3.59 per gallon, while in Wisconsin it’s $3.41 per gallon. Using these figures as a baseline, let’s assume your vehicle gets 25 miles to the gallon and that you’ll be travelling a total of 172 miles (86 miles each way).
Based on these figures, you can expect to use just under 7 gallons of gas on your journey. This means you’ll need to budget roughly $25-$26 for gas if you’re travelling both ways.
Tolls
While Route 1 is mostly a toll road, Route 2 has no tolls. If you choose to take Route 1, you’ll need to budget for a few tolls along the way.
At the time of writing, the cost of a passenger car to travel the length of I-294 is $1.50 during off-peak hours and $2.10 during peak hours. The cost to travel I-94 is $1.70 to go from the Illinois/Wisconsin border to the Racine/Kenosha County Line.
Assuming you take Route 1 during off-peak hours, you can expect to pay a total of $4.90 in tolls each way ($1.50 on I-294 and $3.40 on I-94). This means your total cost for tolls for the round trip will be around $10-$11.
Time and Wear and Tear
While not directly related to the cost of the trip, it’s worth considering the amount of time and wear and tear you’ll experience on your vehicle when calculating the overall cost of your trip.
If you take Route 1 during peak traffic times, the extra time it takes to get through the congested areas can add up. Similarly, if you have an older vehicle or if you’re putting a lot of miles on your car regularly, you’ll want to factor in the wear and tear on your vehicle when budgeting for the trip.
Recommendations
Based on the information above, it’s clear that Route 2 is the cheaper of the two routes, as it has no tolls and should take a similar amount of time to Route 1 for most of the day. However, if you’re travelling during off-peak hours, Route 1 may still be the faster option.
Ultimately, the route you choose will depend on a variety of factors, including your schedule and your preferred driving environment. If you’re in a hurry or you prefer highway driving, Route 1 may be the better choice. However, if you’re on a tight budget or you’d prefer to avoid tolls and city driving, Route 2 is likely to be the best option.
Conclusion
Overall, the cost of a trip between Bridgeview, IL and Racine, WI can vary depending on a number of factors, including gas prices, tolls, and the route you choose. By taking these variables into account and calculating your estimated expenses in advance, you can plan a cost-effective trip while still enjoying all the sights and sounds of Illinois and Wisconsin along the way.