How to Calculate the Cost of a Trip between Campbell, CA, and Oakland, CA
Traveling from Campbell, California, to Oakland, California, can be both an exciting and nerve-racking experience. The distance between the two cities is approximately 49 miles, which takes approximately 50 minutes to travel under ideal conditions. However, what concerns most individuals when planning trips is the cost. This article will provide a comprehensive plan on how to estimate the cost of traveling between Campbell and Oakland based on gas prices.
Possible Routes
There are different routes that can be used to travel between Campbell and Oakland, each having a unique cost and distance. These routes include:
- Interstate-880
- Interstate-280, Interstate-880
- State Route 17, Interstate-880
- State Route 237, Interstate-880
Route 1 - Interstate-880
Interstate-880 serves as the most direct route between Campbell and Oakland. This route covers a distance of approximately 45 miles and takes slightly below an hour to travel. The travel time is, however, susceptible to traffic, especially during rush hours.
Assuming that a car holds around 12 gallons of petrol and consumes 25 miles per gallon, approximately 2 gallons of fuel will be used in a one-way journey using Interstate-880. As of August 2021, the average cost of gasoline in California was approximately $4.20 per gallon^(1). Therefore, it will cost around $8.40 per vehicle in fuel costs to travel one-way using the Interstate-880 route.
Route 2 - Interstate-280, Interstate-880
The second route is the Interstate-280 to Interstate-880 combination. This option is 56 miles long, taking approximately 55 minutes under standard conditions. However, the route's cost is relatively higher due to the extended distance traveled.
Assuming that a car consumes 2.5 gallons of petrol per twenty miles and gas costs $4.20 per gallon, traveling through this route will cost around $21 for a one-way trip.
Route 3 - State Route 17, Interstate-880
The State Route 17 to Interstate-880 route is approximately 51.9 miles long and takes around 51 minutes to travel. This route is less frequently used due to traversing mountainous terrain, resulting in higher fuel consumption and vehicle wear and tear.
Assuming that the vehicle consumes 3.0 gallons of petrol per fifteen miles, it will cost $37 for a one-way trip, calculated based on the average California gas prices as per August 2021.
Route 4 - State Route 237, Interstate-880
The State Route 237 to Interstate-880 route is about 49 miles long, taking approximately 49 minutes to travel. This route is less congested as compared to the Interstate-880 route, making it a better option during peak hours.
Assuming that the car's fuel consumption averages 2.5 gallons per twenty miles, a one-way journey using this route costs approximately $21 based on the average gas prices in California.
Recommended Route
Based on the aforementioned routes, traveling from Campbell to Oakland via Interstate-880 is the best option. Despite being the most commonly used route, Interstate-880 is the shortest, less complicated, and most cost-effective option. Moreover, it has the shortest travel time, taking less than an hour.
Traveling via Interstate-280, Interstate-880 and State Route 17, Interstate 880, both require extra fuel consumption due to the additional mileage traveled. Additionally, both routes encounter mountainous terrain, resulting in more wear and tear and maintenance costs. Finally, State Route 237, Interstate-880, although shorter, adds up cost-wise due to the number of tolls required.
Conclusion
Various factors are considered when preparing for a trip, including security, comfort, speed, and cost. When traveling between Campbell and Oakland, fuel consumption has a significant impact on the cost of the trip. However, by selecting the best route, one can minimize the expenses while still enjoying a comfortable and secure journey. The recommended route is Interstate-880, which is the shortest and most cost-effective way to travel between the two cities. Regardless of the route chosen, the trip takes on average less than an hour, making it a comfortable journey.
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Sources:
^(1) AAA Gas Prices - Daily Summary Report, updated August 2021, [https://gasprices.aaa.com/]