The Cost of a Trip From Champaign, Illinois to Springfield, Illinois

Traveling between Champaign and Springfield in Illinois is a common trip that people make. There are different modes of transportation available including driving, taking a train, or hopping on a bus. The most common method is by driving, and this article will focus on the cost of driving the different routes between these two cities.

Driving Routes

There are two main routes from Champaign to Springfield. The first route is via Interstate 72 (I-72) and the second route is via Interstate 55 (I-55).

I-72 Route

The I-72 route is the northern route from Champaign to Springfield covering a distance of 84.6 miles. The journey takes around 1 hour and 19 minutes without traffic, but this is subject to change depending on the traffic situation.

The total cost of driving this route is highly dependent on the vehicle used, gas prices, and the frequency of stops. If the drive is non-stop, some of the expenses that will be incurred include only the cost of fuel and any toll fees. With an average fuel consumption of 25 miles per gallon, a round trip may use around 6.8 gallons. With this in mind, if the gas price was $2.60 per gallon, the total fuel cost round trip would be around $17.68.

I-55 Route

The I-55 route is the southern route from Champaign to Springfield covering a distance of 85.5 miles, slightly longer than the I-72 route. However, it's the route that has less traffic during the weekdays, making it ideal during rush hours as it flows better than the I-72 route. The I-55 route is usually the faster route to Springfield except in rainy or stormy weather when visibility is poor. The journey time is around 1 hour and 21 minutes without traffic, which may be shorter or longer depending on the traffic conditions.

In terms of cost, this route is expected to have a similar cost to the I-72 route as it's not much of a distance difference. The fuel consumption and gas prices will also have an impact on the overall cost. If the price is at $2.60 per gallon, the total fuel cost round trip would be around $17.75.

The Best Route

Based on the analysis of the route and the cost, it's better to choose the I-55 Route. Although there's only a minor distance difference, the travel time can vary between the two routes depending on the traffic situation. Rush hour is usually a busy time in the city hence the need to switch to the less busy route. The I-55 route is the best route that combines speed, less traffic, and affordability.

Conclusion

The cost of travel between Champaign and Springfield greatly depends on the chosen route, fuel consumption, gas prices, and any toll fees. Based on the analysis of the two driving routes, the I-55 route is better due to its faster travel time and less traffic. Traveling through this route, you would have spent around 85.5 miles at the cost of $17.75 for the fuel cost round trip with an average vehicle consuming 25 miles per gallon. The whole journey takes approximately 1 hour and 21 minutes without traffic.