The Cost of A Trip Between Champaign, Illinois and Rockford, Illinois in 2021 Gas Prices

If you're planning on driving from Champaign, Illinois to Rockford, Illinois, there are a few different routes you can take. Each route has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of distance, time, and cost. With the price of gas fluctuating all the time, you might be wondering how much it'll cost you to make the trip in 2021.

In this article, we’ll go over the different routes you can take and provide you with an estimate of how much you can expect to spend on gas. We’ll also recommend the best route to take based on overall costs.

Route 1: I-39 N

The first route to consider is taking I-39 N. This route is the most direct and it'll take around 2 hours and 15 minutes. However, it's important to note that this route has the most tolls. You'll need to pay $1.50 at every toll, so make sure you have enough cash or a credit card to cover the costs.

In terms of distance, this route is approximately 135 miles. With the average gas mileage of a car being around 25 miles per gallon, you'll need to fill up your car's tank around 5-6 times. Based on the current national average for gas prices of $3.00/gallon, you can expect to spend around $75-$90 on gas for this route.

Route 2: IL-47 N and I-39 N

The second route to consider is taking IL-47 N and I-39 N. This route is slightly longer, with a distance of approximately 155 miles. However, it doesn't have any tolls, which can save you some money. This route will take around 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

With the same average gas mileage of a car, you'll likely need to fill up your car's tank around 6-7 times. Based on the current national average for gas prices of $3.00/gallon, you can expect to spend around $90-$105 on gas for this route.

Route 3: I-55 N and I-39 N

The third route to consider is taking I-55 N and I-39 N. This route has a distance of approximately 180 miles and it'll take around 3 hours to complete. However, this route has some advantages in terms of gas prices and distance.

Since the route is longer, you'll need to fill up your car's tank around 7-8 times. However, since you'll be driving on I-55 N for a significant portion of the trip, you'll be driving through some of the cheaper gas areas in Illinois. Based on the current national average for gas prices of $3.00/gallon, you can expect to spend around $85-$100 on gas for this route.

The Best Route

Based on the various factors such as distance, time, and cost, the I-55 N and I-39 N route is the best one to take. Although it’s the longest route, it’s the cheapest in terms of gas prices, and it doesn't have any tolls, which can be a significant cost in the long run.

In total, you can expect to spend around $85-$100 on gas for this route. Of course, the actual cost will depend on the type of car you have, its gas mileage, and the current gas prices in your area.

Conclusion

No matter which route you choose, you'll have a beautiful drive through the state of Illinois. With some careful planning and budgeting, you can make the trip affordable and enjoyable. Based on the various factors, we recommend taking the I-55 N and I-39 N route. At the current gas prices, it’s the most affordable and efficient way to get from Champaign to Rockford and back. Overall, you can expect to spend around 3 hours on the road, depending on traffic. So, buckle up, pack some snacks, and enjoy the trip!