Driving Cost from Charleston, West Virginia to Springfield, Illinois

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The Cost of a Road Trip from Charleston, WV to Springfield, IL

Are you planning a road trip from Charleston, West Virginia to Springfield, Illinois? If so, calculating the cost of the trip is essential for budgeting purposes. Gas prices can fluctuate, and routes can vary, but the following breakdown will give you an idea of what to expect.

Route Options

There are multiple route options to consider when traveling from Charleston, WV to Springfield, IL. The most common routes are I-64 W/I-57 N (782 miles, approximately 12 hours) or I-64 W/I-70 W/I-57 N (842 miles, approximately 13 hours). Some other possible routes to consider are:

  • US-60 W/I-44 W/I-55 N (901 miles, approximately 14 hours)
  • US-119 N/I-76 W/I-70 W/I-55 N (847 miles, approximately 13.5 hours)
  • US-33 W/I-70 W/I-55 N (860 miles, approximately 14 hours)

Each route has its own benefits and drawbacks, such as tolls, speed limits, and road conditions.

Gas Prices

Gas prices vary based on location and time of year. The average price of gas in West Virginia is $2.322 per gallon, while in Illinois, it is $2.114 per gallon (as of September 2021).

To calculate the estimated cost of gas for your trip, you can use a gas calculator, such as GasBuddy or AAA's Fuel Cost Calculator. These calculators allow you to enter the make and model of your car, the year it was made, and the starting and ending locations of your trip. The calculator then estimates the amount of gas you will need and the total cost.

Breakdown of Costs by Route

Using gas prices and distance calculations, here is an estimated cost breakdown for each of the common routes between Charleston, WV, and Springfield, IL.

I-64 W/I-57 N

This route is approximately 782 miles and takes around 12 hours to drive. Here is the estimated cost breakdown for a trip from Charleston, WV to Springfield, IL using this route:

  • Gas Cost (West Virginia to Illinois): $82.08 (35.3 gallons of gas, based on a car with an average fuel efficiency of 22 miles per gallon)
  • Estimated Tolls: $15-20 (depending on the time of day and whether tolls are paid electronically or with cash)

The total estimated cost for this route is $97.08-102.08.

I-64 W/I-70 W/I-57 N

This route is approximately 842 miles and takes around 13 hours to drive. Here is the estimated cost breakdown for a trip from Charleston, WV to Springfield, IL using this route:

  • Gas Cost (West Virginia to Illinois): $90.78 (39 gallons of gas, based on a car with an average fuel efficiency of 22 miles per gallon)
  • Estimated Tolls: $40-50 (depending on the time of day and whether tolls are paid electronically or with cash)

The total estimated cost for this route is $130.78-140.78.

Other Possible Routes

The estimated costs for the other possible routes listed earlier are as follows:

  • US-60 W/I-44 W/I-55 N: $98.38 (42.4 gallons of gas)
  • US-119 N/I-76 W/I-70 W/I-55 N: $91.10 (39.2 gallons of gas)
  • US-33 W/I-70 W/I-55 N: $91.85 (39.6 gallons of gas)

All cost estimates include gas and estimated tolls (if applicable).

The recommended route based on the estimated cost breakdowns is I-64 W/I-57 N due to its shorter distance and fewer tolls than I-64 W/I-70 W/I-57 N. While the cost difference is not significant, the shorter distance will save time and wear and tear on your vehicle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, taking a road trip from Charleston, WV, to Springfield, IL, can be a fun and exciting adventure, but it's essential to calculate the estimated cost beforehand. Gas prices and route options should be taken into consideration when budgeting for the trip. Based on the estimated costs, the I-64 W/I-57 N route is recommended due to its shorter distance and lower tolls. Happy traveling!