The Cost of Traveling Between Cary and Lockport: Navigating Gas Prices

Traveling between Cary and Lockport in Illinois can be quite expensive, considering the current prices of gas per gallon. You may wonder about the different routes available and the costs involved. This article will provide comprehensive information about the different routes and the costs of traveling between Cary and Lockport, along with a recommendation for the best route.

The Possible Routes

There are three possible routes for traveling between Cary and Lockport, each with its associated costs and lengths. They are:

Route 1: IL-31 S and I-55 S – 66.3 miles

Route 1 begins at Cary and goes down IL-31 S for a distance of approximately 25 miles before connecting to I-55 S. This route is the shortest in terms of distance and time, making it the most preferred for people in a hurry. Here's the breakdown of estimated costs:

Gas consumption based on the current average price of gas per gallon of $3.15: $17.50 (5.56 gallons)
Tolls: $4.20
Total cost: $21.70

Traveling through Route 1 will take you approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Route 2: US-12 W and I-355 S – 72.1 miles

Starting from Cary, Route 2 goes down US-12 W until it intersects with I-355 S in Palatine. It is worth taking this route if you do not wish to encounter long stretches of traffic. Here's an estimate of the costs incurred:

Gas consumption based on the current average price of gas per gallon of $3.15: $20.97 (6.65 gallons)
Tolls: $8.40
Total cost: $29.37

It will take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to travel from Cary to Lockport using Route 2, depending on traffic conditions.

Route 3: IL-31 S and IL-126 W – 73.1 miles

Route 3 involves going south on IL-31 S until it intersects with IL-126 W. Then you would head east to reach your destination. This route is longer and will take more time, but it's ideal if you don't want to go through tollways. Here's the breakdown of estimated costs:

Gas consumption based on the current average price of gas per gallon of $3.15: $20.68 (6.56 gallons)
Tolls: $0
Total cost: $20.68

Traveling through Route 3 will take you approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Best Route Recommendation

After considering the costs and the time taken for each route, the best route to take would be Route 3. It is more efficient if you want to save a considerable amount on gas and tolls. Furthermore, it will only take you a little longer to reach your destination compared to Route 2.

Conclusion

Taking the time to plan your route in advance can make the difference between an efficient and affordable trip or a time-consuming and costly adventure. Route 3 is the recommended one as it will save you a few dollars that would have gone to tolls and gas. It will, however, take approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes to arrive at your destination, depending on traffic conditions. Always remember to have an extra amount of money for unexpected travel expenses or toll increases. Stay safe on the road and have a great trip!