The Cost of a Road Trip from Cambridge, Illinois to Clearwater, Florida
Are you considering a road trip from Cambridge, Illinois to Clearwater, Florida? It's a long drive, but it's worth it if you want to explore the beautiful beaches and warm sunshine of the Gulf Coast.
Before you hit the road, it's important to understand the cost of the trip. Gas prices are constantly changing, and you need to factor in the distance, tolls, and other expenses. We'll break down the different routes you can take and highlight the cost and distance of each one to help you make an informed decision.
Route 1: I-55 S and I-65 S
This route takes you through Indiana and Kentucky before you merge onto I-75 S in Tennessee and continue toward Florida. It's the shortest route, but it's also the most expensive because of the tolls.
Distance:
1,050.1 miles
Estimated travel time:
16 hours and 35 minutes
Fuel cost:
Assuming you are driving a car that gets 25 miles per gallon, you will need approximately 42 gallons of gas for this trip. With the current national average of $3.07 per gallon, you can expect to pay around $129 for gas.
Tolls:
This route requires you to pay several tolls, including the Ohio Turnpike and the Florida Turnpike. The total cost of the tolls is around $64.
Total cost:
The total cost for this route, including gas and tolls, is around $193.
Route 2: I-39 S and I-74 E
This route takes you through Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio before you merge onto I-77 S in West Virginia and continue toward Florida. It's slightly longer than route 1, but it's less expensive because it doesn't have as many tolls.
Distance:
1,152.1 miles
Estimated travel time:
17 hours and 52 minutes
Fuel cost:
Assuming you are driving a car that gets 25 miles per gallon, you will need approximately 46 gallons of gas for this trip. With the current national average of $3.07 per gallon, you can expect to pay around $141 for gas.
Tolls:
This route requires you to pay only a few tolls, including the Indiana Toll Road and a few on the West Virginia Turnpike. The total cost of the tolls is around $16.
Total cost:
The total cost for this route, including gas and tolls, is around $157.
Route 3: I-39 S and I-65 S
This route takes you through Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky before you merge onto I-75 S in Tennessee and continue toward Florida. It's longer than route 1 but shorter than route 2, and it has fewer tolls than route 1.
Distance:
1,103.9 miles
Estimated travel time:
17 hours and 4 minutes
Fuel cost:
Assuming you are driving a car that gets 25 miles per gallon, you will need approximately 44 gallons of gas for this trip. With the current national average of $3.07 per gallon, you can expect to pay around $135 for gas.
Tolls:
This route requires you to pay only a few tolls, including the Indiana Toll Road and the Florida Turnpike. The total cost of the tolls is around $26.
Total cost:
The total cost for this route, including gas and tolls, is around $161.
Route 4: I-55 S, I-57 S, and I-75 S
This route takes you through Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee before you merge onto I-75 S in Georgia and continue toward Florida. It's the longest route, but it's the least expensive because it doesn't have as many tolls.
Distance:
1,204.9 miles
Estimated travel time:
18 hours and 35 minutes
Fuel cost:
Assuming you are driving a car that gets 25 miles per gallon, you will need approximately 48 gallons of gas for this trip. With the current national average of $3.07 per gallon, you can expect to pay around $147 for gas.
Tolls:
This route does not require you to pay any tolls.
Total cost:
The total cost for this route, including only gas, is around $147.
Recommendation:
Based on the cost and the distance, we recommend taking Route 3, which is the most cost-effective and almost just as short as Route 1. It still gives an ample opportunity to stop and check out the state attractions.
Conclusion:
Traveling from Cambridge, Illinois to Clearwater, Florida may seem like a daunting task, but once you know your options, it's much easier to plan and budget for the trip. We hope this breakdown of the different routes and their costs will help you make the best decision for your upcoming road trip. Whatever route you take, enjoy the ride and don't forget to stop and appreciate the beautiful scenery along the way!