The Cost of a Trip Between Broomfield, Colorado and Thornton, Colorado: Navigating Gas Prices

Traveling between Broomfield and Thornton requires careful consideration of the best route to take, taking into account the current gas prices. This article will detail the different possible routes, highlighting their cost and distances, and recommend the best one for a budget-friendly trip.

Route 1: US-36 E and I-25 N

The first possible route to take is via US-36 E and I-25 N. From Broomfield, take the exit to merge onto US-36 E towards Denver. Continue on US-36 E for around 12 miles before taking the exit onto I-25 N towards Fort Collins. Continue on I-25 N for around 6 miles before taking exit 226 toward 144th Ave. This route spans a distance of around 13 miles and can take around 20-25 minutes depending on traffic.

According to the AAA Fuel Cost Calculator, a car with an average gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon and a gas price of $3 per gallon will cost around $1.44 for this route. However, it is essential to note that the gas prices can vary, especially during peak hours of travel.

Route 2: I-25 N

The second possible route to take is via I-25 N. From Broomfield, take the exit to merge onto I-25 N toward Fort Collins. Continue on I-25 N for around 12 miles before taking exit 226 toward 144th Ave. This route spans a distance of around 12 miles and can take around 15-20 minutes depending on traffic.

According to the AAA Fuel Cost Calculator, a car with an average gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon and a gas price of $3 per gallon, will cost around $1.35 for this route. It is essential to note that the gas prices can fluctuate depending on peak hours, drastic temperature changes, and seasonality.

Route 3: US-287 N

The third possible route to take is via US-287 N. From Broomfield, take the exit to merge onto US-287 N/Lincoln St towards Lafayette. Continue on US-287 N for around 6 miles. Turn left onto CO-128 W/Baseline Road and continue for around 4 miles. Then, turn right onto Huron Street and continue for around 3 miles before turning left onto Thornton Pkwy. This route spans a distance of around 14 miles and can take around 25-30 minutes depending on traffic.

According to the AAA Fuel Cost Calculator, a car with an average gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon and a gas price of $3 per gallon will cost around $1.76 for this route. It is crucial to note that this route does not have a highway and requires navigating through small towns, which could result in longer travel times.

Route 4: Express Lanes on I-25 N

The fourth and final possible route to take is via the Express Lanes on I-25 N. From Broomfield, take the exit onto US-36 E towards Denver before merging onto I-25 N. After around 5 miles, continue on the Express Lanes on I-25 N for around five miles before taking the exit towards Thornton Pkwy. This route spans a distance of around 10 miles and can take around 15-20 minutes depending on traffic.

According to the AAA Fuel Cost Calculator, a car with an average gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon and a gas price of $3 per gallon will cost around $1.62 for this route. However, it is essential to note that this route requires a toll payment, adding additional costs to the trip, with a variable price depending on peak hours.

Recommended Route

Based on the distance, travel time, and cost, the optimal route to take is Route 2: I-25N. With peak traffic times taken into account, this route provides the most reliable and budget-friendly option with a total cost of $1.35 per trip. However, it is advisable to keep track of gas prices and highway tolls, especially during peak hours, to mitigate the overall costs of taking this route.

Conclusion

Navigating the trip between Broomfield, Colorado, and Thornton, Colorado, requires careful consideration of different potential routes, taking into account distance, travel time, and fuel costs. Route 2: I-25N is the recommended option, providing a reliable and budget-friendly trip with a total cost of $1.35 and a travel time of 15-20 minutes (depending on traffic). As always, monitoring gas prices and highway tolls during peak hours is crucial to saving additional costs during the trip.