Driving Cost from Carol Stream, Illinois to San Antonio, Texas

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Cost of a Road Trip from Carol Stream, IL to San Antonio, TX

Are you planning a road trip from Carol Stream, Illinois to San Antonio, Texas? One of the most important factors to consider is the cost of the trip. This article will break down the cost of a road trip between these two cities, including possible routes and the expenses associated with each.

Possible Routes

Before we dive into the cost breakdown, it's important to consider the various routes that are available to you. Here are a few options:

  • I-55 S and I-44 W: This route takes you through Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. It's the most direct route, but it does have some tolls and can be busy at times.
  • I-55 S and I-40 W: This route also takes you through Missouri, but then you'll head south through Oklahoma and eventually connect with I-35 S in Texas.
  • I-80 W and I-35 S: This route takes you through Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma before connecting with I-35 S in Texas. It's a longer route, but it avoids tolls and some of the heavier traffic areas.

Cost Breakdown

Now, let's break down the cost of a road trip between Carol Stream and San Antonio for each of these routes. For the purposes of this article, we'll assume a round trip.

I-55 S and I-44 W

According to Google Maps, this route is 1,031 miles each way and takes about 16 hours and 20 minutes. Here's a breakdown of the expected costs:

  • Gas: Assuming an average gas mileage of 30 miles per gallon and an average gas price of $3.00 per gallon, the cost of gas for the round trip would be around $177.

  • Tolls: This route has several tolls, including the Illinois Tollway, the Lakefront Tollway, and the Missouri Turnpike. Estimated cost is around $40 round trip.

  • Lodging: If you plan to stop overnight, you'll need to budget around $100 per night for a mid-range hotel. This will bring your total lodging cost to around $200.

  • Food: Depending on your eating habits, you can expect to spend around $50 per person per day on food. If you plan to eat out for every meal, you'll spend around $400 for your round trip.

In total, you can expect to spend around $817 for a road trip from Carol Stream to San Antonio via I-55 South and I-44 West.

I-55 S and I-40 W

This route is slightly longer at 1,077 miles each way and takes about 17 hours and 35 minutes. Here's how the costs break down:

  • Gas: Again, assuming an average of 30 miles per gallon and a gas price of $3.00 per gallon, your gas cost for this route would be around $186.

  • Tolls: You'll have to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway, the Lakefront Tollway, and the Oklahoma Turnpike. This will cost you around $45 round trip.

  • Lodging: With two hotel stays, you'll spend around $200 on lodging.

  • Food: Assuming the same eating habits as the previous route, you'll spend around $400 on food.

Therefore, the total cost for a road trip from Carol Stream to San Antonio via I-55 South and I-40 West is around $831.

I-80 W and I-35 S

This route is the longest at 1,259 miles each way and takes about 19 hours and 30 minutes. Here's a look at the costs:

  • Gas: With a longer route, your gas expenses will add up more quickly. You can expect to spend around $218 on gas for the round trip.

  • Tolls: You won't have to pay any tolls on this route.

  • Lodging: With three hotel stays, you'll spend around $300 on lodging.

  • Food: Again, assuming the same habits as the previous routes, you'll spend around $400 on food for the round trip.

The total cost for a road trip from Carol Stream to San Antonio via I-80 West and I-35 South comes to about $918.

Based on the cost breakdown, the recommended route for a road trip from Carol Stream to San Antonio is I-55 South and I-44 West. This route is the shortest, has a manageable amount of tolls, and has similar expenses for gas, food, and lodging as the other routes. However, if you prefer to avoid tolls and don't mind the longer drive, I-80 West and I-35 South could be a good option as well.

Conclusion

Overall, the cost of a road trip from Carol Stream, IL to San Antonio, TX will depend on a variety of factors, including your driving habits and route preferences. However, with the information outlined in this article, you should have a better idea of what to expect and how to budget for your trip. Happy travels!