The Cost of a Trip Between Carbondale and Edwardsville: Navigating Gas Prices
Are you planning a trip from Carbondale, Illinois to Edwardsville, Illinois? Gas prices can impact the cost of your trip, but fear not! There are different routes to take and factors to consider to help you make the most of your time and money. In this article, we’ll break down the different possible routes and highlight the cost and distance for each one, as well as offer a recommendation for the best route to take based on current gas prices.
Route Options
Option One: IL-13 W and I-64 W
The first route option is to take IL-13 W and I-64 W. This route, which is approximately 129 miles long, takes you through the cities of Murphysboro, Du Quoin, and Nashville before reaching Edwardsville. This route generally takes about two hours, depending on traffic.
Option Two: US-51 N and I-55 N
The second route option is to take US-51 N and I-55 N. This route, which is approximately 146 miles long, takes you through the cities of De Soto, Mount Vernon, and Bloomington before reaching Edwardsville. This route generally takes about two hours and thirty minutes, depending on traffic.
Option Three: IL-148 N and US-51 N
The third route option is to take IL-148 N and US-51 N. This route, which is approximately 131 miles long, takes you through the cities of Herrin, Christopher, and Sesser before reaching Mount Vernon. From here, you would take I-64 E for 34 miles before joining US-40 E to Edwardsville. This route generally takes about two hours and fifteen minutes, depending on traffic.
Gas Prices
The cost of gas can vary widely by location and time of year. According to GasBuddy, as of September 2021, the average gas price in Carbondale, Illinois is $2.91 per gallon, while the average gas price in Edwardsville, Illinois is $2.92 per gallon. It’s important to keep in mind that the actual cost of gas for your trip will depend on a number of factors, such as the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, the distance you will be traveling, and any stops you may make along the way.
To estimate the cost of gas for each route option, we will assume an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon and a total trip distance of 130 miles, which is the approximate distance for each of our three route options.
Option One: IL-13 W and I-64 W - This route covers a total distance of approximately 129 miles and would require approximately 5.16 gallons of gas. At the current average price of $2.91 per gallon in Carbondale, the estimated cost of gas for this route would be $15.01.
Option Two: US-51 N and I-55 N - This route covers a total distance of approximately 146 miles and would require approximately 5.84 gallons of gas. At the current average price of $2.91 per gallon in Carbondale, the estimated cost of gas for this route would be $17.00.
Option Three: IL-148 N and US-51 N - This route covers a total distance of approximately 131 miles and would require approximately 5.24 gallons of gas. At the current average price of $2.91 per gallon in Carbondale, the estimated cost of gas for this route would be $15.23.
Recommendation
Based on the current gas prices and estimated costs for each route, we recommend taking Option One: IL-13 W and I-64 W. This route is the shortest and has the lowest estimated cost for gas, making it the most cost-effective option. Additionally, this route can be quicker than other options, especially during rush hour traffic when I-55 N can become congested.
Conclusion
In summary, the cost of a trip between Carbondale and Edwardsville can vary depending on the route you choose and the current gas prices. We recommend taking Option One: IL-13 W and I-64 W to save time and money, as it is the shortest route and has the lowest estimated cost for gas. Always make sure to check gas prices before you leave and to make adjustments to your route if necessary. Safe travels!