The Cost of Driving between Buffalo Grove, Illinois and Bloomington, Illinois: A Guide Based on Current Gas Prices

Driving from Buffalo Grove, Illinois to Bloomington, Illinois is a popular road trip route that many people take. If you are planning to take this trip, you might be wondering how much it will cost you. In this guide, we will break down the different routes you can take, how much gas will cost at the moment, and estimate the overall cost of the trip.

Route Options

There are a couple of different routes you can take when driving from Buffalo Grove to Bloomington. Here are the two most popular ones:

Route 1: I-55 South

The first route you can take is by going south on I-294 and then taking I-55 south until you reach Bloomington. This route is about 137.3 miles long and takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to drive.

Route 2: Alternate Route through Pontiac

The second route involves taking a different highway, I-55, but then exiting at Pontiac and continuing on on Route 116. From there, you will continue driving until you reach Bloomington. This route is about 133.5 miles long and takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

Gas Prices

To estimate the cost of this trip, we need to know the current gas prices. According to GasBuddy, as of August 2021, gas prices in Illinois range from $2.99 to $3.89 per gallon, depending on the type of gas and the location of the gas station. We will use an average of $3.25 per gallon as the gas price for this guide.

Cost Estimate

To calculate the cost of the trip, we need to know the distance of each route and the average gas mileage your car gets. We will use an average gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon, which is what most cars get on the highway.

Route 1: I-55 South

The total distance of this route is 137.3 miles. Based on our gas mileage estimate, you will use about 5.5 gallons of gas to complete this trip. Multiplying that by our gas price estimate of $3.25 per gallon, we get a total cost of $17.88 for gas.

Route 2: Alternate Route through Pontiac

The total distance of this route is 133.5 miles. Based on our gas mileage estimate, you will use about 5.3 gallons of gas to complete this trip. Multiplying that by our gas price estimate of $3.25 per gallon, we get a total cost of $17.23 for gas.

Recommended Route

In this guide, we have presented two different routes you can take to reach Bloomington from Buffalo Grove. Which one should you choose?

After reviewing the distance and cost for each route, we recommend taking Route 1, which goes south on I-55. Although it is slightly longer, the time difference is negligible, and it will ultimately save you a few dollars in gas.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cost of driving from Buffalo Grove, Illinois to Bloomington, Illinois depends on the route you choose and the current gas prices. Generally speaking, Route 1 is the most cost-effective route with $17.88 for gas, and Route 2 is close behind with $17.23 for gas. Regardless of the route you choose, however, the drive is sure to be scenic and enjoyable, taking around 2 to 2.5 hours to reach your destination.