The Cost of Traveling from Broadview, Illinois to Hammond, Indiana: A Comprehensive Guide

If you're planning to travel from Broadview, Illinois to Hammond, Indiana, whether for work, pleasure, or any other motive, you may want to know what to expect in terms of costs and route options. In this article, we'll provide an in-depth look at the cost of the trip between these two cities based on current gas prices. We'll break down the different possible routes, highlight the cost and distance of each one, and recommend the best route.

Route Options

There are essentially three main routes you can take when traveling by car from Broadview, Illinois to Hammond, Indiana:

1. The I-290 W and I-88 E route
2. The I-55 S and I-80 E route
3. The I-294 S and I-80 E route

Each route has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on factors such as distance, traffic, tolls, and gas prices. Let's take a closer look at each route and compare their costs.

The I-290 W and I-88 E Route

The first and most direct route is to take the I-290 W and I-88 E highways. This route covers a distance of approximately 50 miles and takes around 1 hour to complete, depending on traffic.

One of the main advantages of this route is that it has relatively fewer tolls compared to the other routes. However, the gas prices in the area can be higher than average, especially if you need to refuel along the way.

According to GasBuddy.com, the average gas price in the area as of September 2021 was $3.20 per gallon. Assuming your car's gas mileage is around 25 miles per gallon, you would need approximately 2 gallons of gas for this trip. That would be a total cost of around $6.40 for gas.

Additionally, if you take this route, you will need to pay two tolls: one for the I-355 ($1.50), and one for the I-294 ($0.80). That would be a total of $2.30 for tolls.

Therefore, the total cost of taking the I-290 W and I-88 E route would be around $8.70.

The I-55 S and I-80 E Route

The second route is to take the I-55 S and I-80 E highways. This route covers a distance of approximately 60 miles and takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete, depending on traffic.

One of the main disadvantages of this route is that it has several tolls, including the most expensive one in the area, the Indiana Toll Road. However, the gas prices along this route are usually lower than average.

According to GasBuddy.com, the average gas price in the area as of September 2021 was $3.10 per gallon. Assuming your car's gas mileage is around 25 miles per gallon, you would need approximately 2.5 gallons of gas for this trip. That would be a total cost of around $7.75 for gas.

Additionally, if you take this route, you will need to pay four tolls: one for the I-355 ($1.50), one for the I-294 ($0.80), one for the I-80 ($0.50), and one for the Indiana Toll Road ($10.10). That would be a total of $12.90 for tolls.

Therefore, the total cost of taking the I-55 S and I-80 E route would be around $20.65.

The I-294 S and I-80 E Route

The third and longest route is to take the I-294 S and I-80 E highways. This route covers a distance of approximately 80 miles and takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete, depending on traffic.

One of the main advantages of this route is that it has fewer tolls compared to the I-55 S and I-80 E route. However, the gas prices along this route can be higher than average.

According to GasBuddy.com, the average gas price in the area as of September 2021 was $3.20 per gallon. Assuming your car's gas mileage is around 25 miles per gallon, you would need approximately 3.2 gallons of gas for this trip. That would be a total cost of around $10.24 for gas.

Additionally, if you take this route, you will need to pay three tolls: one for the I-294 ($0.80), one for the I-80 ($0.50), and one for the Indiana Toll Road ($4.40). That would be a total of $5.70 for tolls.

Therefore, the total cost of taking the I-294 S and I-80 E route would be around $15.94.

Recommendation

Based on the above analysis, the best route to take from Broadview, Illinois to Hammond, Indiana, based on cost, would be the I-290 W and I-88 E route. Although it is the shortest route, it also has the fewest tolls and gas prices that are comparable to those along the other routes.

Conclusion

Traveling from Broadview, Illinois to Hammond, Indiana, by car is a relatively short and straightforward trip. Depending on the route you take, you can expect to pay anywhere from around $8.70 to $20.65 in tolls and gas costs.

Overall, the I-290 W and I-88 E route is the most practical and affordable option. It is the shortest route, with the fewest tolls and gas prices that are not significantly higher than those along other routes.

The trip, regardless of the route, typically takes around 1-1.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions. Therefore, if you plan to travel from Broadview, Illinois to Hammond, Indiana, by car, it is best to leave with sufficient time to account for any potential traffic delays.