Cost of a Trip Between Castelar and Tandil: Gas Prices and Route Analysis

When planning a road trip, one of the most important factors to consider is the cost. Gas prices can vary greatly, as can the distance and efficiency of different routes. In this article, we will explore the cost of a trip between Castelar, Buenos Aires, and Tandil, Buenos Aires. We will analyze different route options and offer recommendations on the best route to take.

Route Options

There are three main route options when traveling from Castelar to Tandil. The first is to take the Autopista Buenos Aires - La Plata (ETC). This route will take you directly to Tandil, but it is the longest route of the three, with a distance of 332.5 km. The second option is to take the Autopista Buenos Aires - Cañuelas (ETC) and then connect to the RN3. This route is shorter, at a distance of 278.9 km, but it includes more tolls. The third option is to take the RN3 and then connect to the RP74. This is the shortest route, at a distance of 261 km, but it includes some unpaved roads.

Gas Prices

Before we analyze the cost of each route, it is important to understand the current gas prices in Argentina. As of August 2021, the average gas price in Buenos Aires is $84.40 per liter for regular gasoline and $98.60 per liter for premium gasoline. Diesel fuel averages around $78.90 per liter.

To calculate the cost of the trip, we will assume an average fuel efficiency of 11 km per liter of gasoline and 13 km per liter of diesel fuel. We will also assume a vehicle with a fuel tank capacity of 50 liters.

Route Analysis

Autopista Buenos Aires - La Plata (ETC)

The first route option, taking the Autopista Buenos Aires - La Plata (ETC), is the longest but also the most straightforward. The tolls on this route can add up quickly, however, with a total of seven tolls costing a total of $838.50 for a standard car. The total distance of the route is 332.5 km, meaning you would need to refuel once. Assuming a fuel efficiency of 11 km per liter, this would require 30.2 liters of gasoline, costing a total of $2,547.68. Therefore, the total cost of this route would be $3,386.18 for the round trip.

Autopista Buenos Aires - Cañuelas (ETC) + RN3

The second route option, taking the Autopista Buenos Aires - Cañuelas (ETC) and then connecting to the RN3, is shorter than the first route but includes more tolls. There are a total of nine tolls on this route, costing a total of $1,070 for a standard car. The total distance of the route is 278.9 km, meaning you would need to refuel once. Assuming a fuel efficiency of 11 km per liter, this would require 25.3 liters of gasoline, costing a total of $2,131.72. Therefore, the total cost of this route would be $3,201.72 for the round trip.

RN3 + RP74

The third route option, taking the RN3 and then connecting to the RP74, is the shortest but includes some unpaved roads. There are no tolls on this route. The total distance of the route is 261 km, meaning you would need to refuel once. Assuming a fuel efficiency of 11 km per liter, this would require 23.7 liters of gasoline, costing a total of $1,999.08. Therefore, the total cost of this route would be $1,999.08 for the round trip.

Best Route

After analyzing all three route options, we recommend taking the RN3 + RP74 route. This route is the shortest and cheapest option, with no tolls and low fuel costs. Although it includes some unpaved roads, these do not take up a significant portion of the route. Unless you have a particular aversion to unpaved roads, this should be the most practical and cost-effective option.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cost of a trip between Castelar and Tandil can vary greatly depending on the route taken and the current gas prices. We recommend taking the RN3 + RP74 route, which is the shortest and cheapest option. The total cost for this round trip would be approximately $1,999.08, assuming an average fuel efficiency of 11 km per liter of gasoline and no tolls. This route should take around three hours each way, depending on traffic and road conditions. Keep these factors in mind when planning your next road trip!