The Cost of Driving from Darien to Aurora: Your Guide to Budgeting for Gas and Tolls
Planning a trip from Darien, Illinois, to Aurora, Illinois? You're not alone! Many folks need to traverse this route for work, shopping, or family visits. To help you plan your trip effectively, let’s explore some popular routes, their distances, estimated travel times, and the costs based on current gas prices. With gas prices hovering around $3.50 per gallon, we'll break it down for you.
Route 1: I-88 E via I-355 N
The first route we’ll look at is the I-88 E via I-355 N. This well-traveled highway is direct and generally the fastest option.
- Distance: 30 miles
- Time: 40 minutes (depending on traffic)
This route typically runs smoothly, but let’s see how much you’ll need to budget for gas. Assuming your vehicle gets an average of 25 miles per gallon, you would need approximately 1.2 gallons of gas.
- Gas Cost: $4.20 (based on current gas prices)
- Toll Price: $2.40 (North-South Tollway)
So, if you choose this route, expect to pay around $6.60 for the trip in total.
Route 2: I-55 S to I-88 W
Another option is to take I-55 S to I-88 W. This route might have a bit more scenery and is often a great drive if you’re looking to enjoy the view.
- Distance: 34 miles
- Time: 50 minutes (traffic permitting)
For this particular drive, your vehicle would consume about 1.36 gallons of gas, costing you around:
- Gas Cost: $4.76
- Toll Price: $3.25 (Tri-State Tollway)
Thus, if you decide on this route, you can expect your total cost to be about $8.01.
Route 3: I-290 W and I-88 E
Finally, let’s consider taking I-290 W and I-88 E. This route can be a little longer, particularly if you are traveling during peak hours.
- Distance: 36 miles
- Time: 55 minutes (depending on congestion)
This option puts your gas consumption at about 1.44 gallons, which comes out to:
- Gas Cost: $5.04
- Toll Price: $4.05 (near the I-88 toll plaza)
Overall, this route gives you a total expenditure of approximately $9.09 for your journey.
Conclusion
In summary, each route from Darien to Aurora offers its own experience and cost. Here’s a quick recap for you:
- Route 1 (I-88 E via I-355 N): $6.60
- Route 2 (I-55 S to I-88 W): $8.01
- Route 3 (I-290 W and I-88 E): $9.09
So, whether you're looking for the quickest trip or want to enjoy a leisurely drive, there’s a route for you. Keep these costs in mind as you plan your adventure to Aurora, and safe travels!