The Cost of a Road Trip Between Chanute, Kansas, and Emporia, Kansas

If you're planning a road trip between Chanute and Emporia, you're probably curious about the cost of the journey. Gas prices vary and there are multiple routes that you can take. In this article, we'll explore the different route options, their distances, and an estimate of the cost of gas based on the current average in Kansas.

Route Options

Option 1: US-54 W and US-75 N

This route will take you through the main highways of the state. You'll start in Chanute and take US-54 W to get to Iola. From there, you'll take US-75 N all the way to Emporia. This is the most direct route but may have the most traffic.

The total distance for this route is 80 miles.

Option 2: KS-39 W and US-50 W

This route will give you a view of the Flint Hills, a unique landscape of tallgrass prairie. You'll start in Chanute and take KS-39 W to get to Burlington. From there, you'll take US-50 W all the way to Emporia.

The total distance for this route is 87 miles.

Option 3: KS-39 W, KS-99 N, and US-50 W

This route is a combination of the two previous options. You'll start in Chanute and take KS-39 W to Burlington. From there, you'll head north on KS-99 and then take US-50 W to Emporia.

The total distance for this route is 94 miles.

Gas Cost Estimate

Gas prices are ever-changing, but as of the time of writing, the current average for Kansas gas prices is $2.63 per gallon according to AAA. Using this average and the estimated distance for each route, we can calculate the approximate cost of gas for each route.

Keep in mind that these estimates are based on driving a standard car that gets an average of 25 miles per gallon.

Option 1: US-54 W and US-75 N

At 80 miles, this route would require approximately 3.2 gallons of gas round trip. The cost of gas would be approximately $8.42.

Option 2: KS-39 W and US-50 W

At 87 miles, this route would require approximately 3.48 gallons of gas round trip. The cost of gas would be approximately $9.16.

Option 3: KS-39 W, KS-99 N, and US-50 W

At 94 miles, this route would require approximately 3.76 gallons of gas round trip. The cost of gas would be approximately $9.88.

Conclusion

Based on gas prices and distances, the most cost-effective route would be Option 1, which would cost approximately $8.42 in gas round trip. However, if you're interested in seeing the Flint Hills, Option 2 would only cost an additional $0.74 in gas round trip and may make for a more interesting journey. Option 3 is the longest route and the most expensive, costing approximately $9.88 in gas round trip.

Overall, no matter which route you choose, the cost of gas is minimal for this trip. It's only a short distance of less than 100 miles, making it a relatively quick and affordable road trip.