The Cost of a Road Trip from Chapel Hill, NC to Crystal Lake, IL based on Current Gas Prices

If you're planning a road trip from Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Crystal Lake, Illinois, one of the first things you'll want to consider is the cost. With gas prices constantly fluctuating, it can be difficult to know exactly how much you'll need to budget for your journey. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the potential routes between Chapel Hill and Crystal Lake, and compare the costs to help you find the most affordable option.

The Possible Routes

There are a few different routes you could take to get from Chapel Hill to Crystal Lake, each with their own pros and cons. Let's take a look at three possible options:

Route 1: I-40 W & I-74 W

The first possible route is to take I-40 West to I-74 West. This is a fairly straightforward journey, with some beautiful scenery along the way. Here's a breakdown of the distance and estimated travel costs:

Distance: 794 miles
Total Estimated Travel Time: 12 hours 37 minutes
Gas Estimate: $90.71

Route 2: I-77 N & I-70 W

Another option is to take I-77 North to I-70 West. This route takes you more north through West Virginia and into Ohio. Here are the specific details:

Distance: 750 miles
Total Estimated Travel Time: 11 hours 38 minutes
Gas Estimate: $87.05

Route 3: I-74 W & I-65 N

The final possible route is to take I-74 West to I-65 North. This is probably the easiest route to follow since a lot of it is on one highway. Here is what you can expect:

Distance: 726 miles
Total Estimated Travel Time: 11 hours 13 minutes
Gas Estimate: $84.19

Costs Comparison and Best Route Recommendation

As you can see, the costs and distances of the three routes are relatively similar. However, the quickest and most direct route with a minimal price difference is Route 3. We recommend taking I-74 West and switching to I-65 North, as this route is the easiest to follow and has slightly lower gas costs.

Additional Costs to Consider

Of course, gas isn't the only cost you need to consider when planning a road trip. There are also tolls, food, and lodging expenses to think about. Here are a few estimated costs to help you plan your trip:

Tolls: $16.60 (using I-Pass/E-ZPass)
Food: $300 (based on $25 per day for 2 people for 6 days)
Lodging: $600 (based on $100 per night for 3 nights)

Adding up all of these costs, we can estimate that a Chapel Hill to Crystal Lake road trip will cost approximately $1,148. This is just an estimate, of course, and your actual costs may differ depending on your specific circumstances.

Conclusion

By taking I-74 West and switching to I-65 North, you can save both time and money on your road trip from Chapel Hill to Crystal Lake. With a total estimated travel time of 11 hours and 13 minutes and an overall cost of around $1,148, this journey is both affordable and enjoyable. Be sure to budget for tolls, food, and lodging in addition to gas costs to ensure you have a great trip and avoid any unexpected expenses along the way.