Cost of a Trip between Buffalo Grove and La Grange: Navigating Current Gas Prices
When planning a trip between Buffalo Grove and La Grange, Illinois, budgeting for gas costs is a crucial component. With gas prices fluctuating regularly, it can be challenging to determine the most cost-effective route. Below, we explore various transportation options and routes, comparing their distances and costs, to help you plan your trip wisely.
Driving Routes
Driving is the most common way to get from Buffalo Grove to La Grange, with multiple routes to choose from, including:
Route 1: Via I-294 S
Taking Interstate 294 South is a 31.3-mile route that can take anywhere from 37 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic. The gas cost for the one-way trip would be approximately $3.32 ($2.84 for the trip and $0.48 for gas tax), assuming $2.84 per gallon, the current average gas price in Illinois as of July 2021.
Route 2: Via I-290 W
Alternatively, you can take Interstate 290 West, which is a 30.1-mile route that takes roughly 35 to 47 minutes depending on traffic. The estimated cost of gas one-way is $3.24, calculated based on the same $2.84 per gallon rate and the same $0.48 for gas tax.
Route 3: Via IL-83 S
Another possibility is to take Illinois Route 83 Southbound, which covers 30.3 miles and usually takes between 39 and 56 minutes. The estimated cost for gas for one way is $3.25 ($2.77 for gas and $0.48 for the gas tax).
As you can see, the differences in driving distances between the three routes are marginal, with I-290 being the shortest, followed by I-294 and Illinois Route 83. However, depending on traffic, travel time and costs can vary between the routes.
Other Transportation Options
Driving is not the only way to travel from Buffalo Grove to La Grange. There are a handful of other transportation options worth considering:
Train
If you prefer public transportation and don't want to drive, taking a train is an excellent option. Metra, Chicago's commuter rail system, provides rail service between Buffalo Grove and La Grange. The one-way fare is $5.50, and the train can take between 60 and 80 minutes, depending on the train schedule. Although this option is more expensive than driving, it can be a good choice if you're looking to avoid traffic and relax during your commute.
Bus
Additionally, taking a bus is another affordable option, with Flixbus being one of the bus companies to consider. A one-way trip from Buffalo Grove to La Grange is approximately $8.99, and the trip duration is around one hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
It is worth noting that taking public transportation does provide more limited flexibility on arrival and departure times.
Route Recommendation
After evaluating all the driving and transportation options, our recommendation for the most cost-effective route is via I-290 W, considering its shorter distance and marginally lower estimated gas cost than the other routes. Although routes 1 and 3 are similar in cost and duration to route 2, they can be congested during rush hours and may end up taking more time.
Conclusion
Planning a trip from Buffalo Grove to La Grange may seem daunting, but with various transportation options to choose from, including driving, taking a train, or riding a bus, your travel goals and budget can be satisfied. We recommend I-290 W as the most efficient driving route while keeping your estimated gas cost in mind. Overall, your trip should take about 35 minutes to an hour, with gas costs ranging from $3.24 to $3.32.