Buckle Up: The Cost of a Road Trip Between Buckingham Township, PA and Chicago, IL
Heading on a long-distance road trip can be an exciting adventure. There's something about traversing through miles of scenic landscapes and exploring new territories that usually keeps you pumped up for hours. But apart from the thrill of the trip, the cost of gas is something that every voyager must consider. In this article, we'll take a look at the different possibilities of travel routes and the cost of each tripping option one can take between Buckingham Township, Pennsylvania, and Chicago, Illinois, assuming current gas prices.
Routes and Their Approximate Distance
There are three primary routes one could take between Buckingham Township, PA, and Chicago, and they include:
I-80 W Route
The I-80 W route takes one across north-central Pennsylvania, through Ohio, and then to Illinois. This path is approximately 777 miles long, depending on your start point and destination in each state.
I-76 W Route
The I-76 W route (Pennsylvania Turnpike) takes you through the Keystone State until you hit I-71S in Ohio, then up through the I-65S in Indiana to Chicago, Illinois. This travel route is approximately 810 miles long.
I-70 W Route
The I-70W route is the most southern route to take from the northwest of Penn State. It takes drivers through Ohio to Indiana and then to Illinois, ending in Chicago. This travel path is approximately 854 miles long.
Gas Cost Estimate
Fuel cost estimates start with one figuring out the amount of fuel it takes to get one way along the travel paths mentioned above and then multiplying the result by two to understand what it will cost to make a round trip to Buckingham Township in Pennsylvania and Chicago, Illinois. We will then calculate the above-mentioned fuel cost and break it down into each of the three travel routes in detail below.
But to do so, we'll bank on the United States Department of Energy's (DOE) regular gas price of $3.06 per gallon as at August 3rd, 2021. We'll be calculating gas costs for the average vehicle with a fuel economy of 27 MPG and an average fuel tank size of 12 gallons, which, combined, delivers about 324 miles on one full tank.
I-80 W Route
If you're traveling to Chicago from Buckingham Township via the I-80 W route, you could use as many as 3 tanks of gas each way, which makes up about 6 tanks for a whole round trip. Therefore, a full round trip of gas using this route should cost you around $301.
324 x 3 / 27 x 3 x 2 x $3.06 = $301.21.
I-76 W Route
For the I-76W route, you'll use around three and a half full gas tanks, which make up seven tanks for the round trip. This full gas tank round-trip estimate will cost you approximately $323.
324 x 3.5 / 27 x 2 x 2 x $3.06 = $322.91
I-70 W Route
Finally, for the I-70W route, you would need approximately three and three-quarters gas tanks to get you to and fro. The whole round trip, including fuel costs, should cost around $345.
324 x 3.75 / 27 x 2 x $3.06 = $344.68.
Recommended route
If fuel cost is a major part of the consideration, then the I-80 W route will be the cheapest, which cost around $301. That route, however, could be subject to possible traffic jams in urban areas. So, while it's inexpensive, there could be other delays on the road that will cost you more time.
On the other hand, travelers that may want to arrive at their destination earlier may prefer the I-76 W route, which still isn't so bad on gas when compared with the other routes.
The I-70 W route would be an ideal option for the adventurous traveler in search of a scenic trip and has plenty of time on their hands.
Conclusion
When embarking on a road trip, gas prices are invariably one of the concerning factors to bear in mind. Travelers from Bucks County in Pennsylvania to Chicago in Illinois can expect to spend not more than $345 on gas, depending on their route preference, vehicle fuel economy, and traffic conditions. While all three travel routes are viable, the I-80 W route leads in affordability, followed only by the I-76 W route. However, other factors such as traffic and scenic views will ultimately determine which route of the three is best suited for you. Regardless of what path you take, the journey from Buckingham Township to Chicago is undoubtedly an incredible adventure, and you should remember to take advantage of every second spent along the way.