The Cost of a Trip between Butler, Missouri and Marquette, Michigan: Navigating through Gas Prices

As gas prices continue to fluctuate, driving long distances can be a budget concern for many people. If you are planning a road trip between Butler, Missouri and Marquette, Michigan, it is important to know the different possible routes and their associated costs. In this article, we break down the cost and distance of each possible route, and recommend the best route based on your budget and time constraints.

Possible Routes

There are three possible routes to get from Butler, Missouri to Marquette, Michigan: Route 1 through Minneapolis, Route 2 through Chicago, and Route 3 through Indianapolis and Detroit.

Route 1: Butler, MO to Minneapolis, MN to Marquette, MI

Route 1, the longest of the three at 1019 miles, takes drivers through Minneapolis before continuing on to Marquette, Michigan. This route runs through Iowa and Wisconsin and takes approximately 15 hours to complete.

Route 2: Butler, MO to Chicago, IL to Marquette, MI

Route 2 is the most direct route, spanning 748 miles and taking drivers on a path straight through northern Illinois before reaching Marquette. It is the shortest route, taking approximately 11 hours to complete.

Route 3: Butler, MO to Indianapolis, IN to Detroit, MI to Marquette, MI

Route 3 takes drivers through the heart of the Midwest, traveling through Indianapolis and Detroit before finally reaching Marquette. The distance for this route spans 1021 miles and takes approximately 15.5 hours to complete.

Cost Analysis

Now that we have an idea about the different possible routes, it's time to compare costs. Here we will consider the cost based on gas prices. As of August 2021, the national average gas price in the United States is $3.11 per gallon. For our analyses, we will consider a car with a fuel efficiency of 28 miles per gallon, which is the average for a mid-size sedan.

Route 1: Butler, MO to Minneapolis, MN to Marquette, MI

The distance for Route 1 is the longest at 1019 miles. At a fuel efficiency of 28 miles per gallon and a gas price of $3.11 per gallon, the total cost for this trip would be approximately $121.18.

Route 2: Butler, MO to Chicago, IL to Marquette, MI

Route 2 is the shortest route and spans a total of 748 miles. At a fuel efficiency of 28 miles per gallon and a gas price of $3.11 per gallon, the total cost for this trip would be approximately $88.07.

Route 3: Butler, MO to Indianapolis, IN to Detroit, MI to Marquette, MI

The distance for Route 3 is 1021 miles, making it the second longest route. At a fuel efficiency of 28 miles per gallon and a gas price of $3.11 per gallon, the total cost for this trip would be approximately $120.04.

Recommended Route

Based solely on distance and cost, Route 2 through Chicago would be the recommended route. It is the shortest route and has the lowest cost in terms of gas.

However, if time is a factor, then Route 2 is not the best choice since it takes the longest time. In this case, Route 3 would be the recommended route since it is only a little over an hour longer than Route 1, while having a lower total cost.

Conclusion

When planning a road trip from Butler, Missouri to Marquette, Michigan, it is important to consider distance and gas prices to determine the best route. Even though Route 2 is the shortest and least expensive in terms of gas, Route 3 may be a better option due to it being slightly longer than Route 1 but having a lower total cost. In the end, no matter which route you choose, with the proper planning and preparation, the road trip can be an enjoyable and budget-friendly experience.