The Cost of Driving From Chicago, Illinois to Madison, Wisconsin Based on Current Gas Prices
Are you planning a road trip from the beautiful city of Chicago to the charming capital of Wisconsin, Madison? If so, it's important to factor in the cost of your journey, especially with current gas prices on the rise. In this blog post, we'll explore several routes you can take, along with the distance, time, and cost of each route. So buckle up, grab your snacks, and let's hit the road!
Route 1: I-90 West
This classic route takes you straight from Chicago to Madison via Interstate 90 West. Covering a distance of 147 miles, this journey usually takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes depending on traffic. Now, let's break down the cost:
- Gas Prices: As of today, gas prices in Chicago average around $3.50 per gallon. With an estimated fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, you would need around 5.88 gallons of gas for this trip.
- Cost of Gas: Multiplying the gallons needed by the gas prices, we calculate: 5.88 gallons * $3.50 = $20.58
- Toll Prices: Since this route involves a toll road, you'll encounter the Illinois Tollway. The total toll cost is around $8.50, which includes the I-Pass discount.
- Total Cost: Adding up the cost of gas and tolls, the total cost for this route is approximately $20.58 + $8.50 = $29.08.
Route 2: US-14 West
If you want to take a more scenic route, consider traveling from Chicago to Madison via US-14 West. This alternative route covers a distance of 150 miles and usually takes around 3 hours depending on traffic and your speed. Let's break down the cost for this option:
- Gas Prices: Assuming the same gas price of $3.50 and a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, you'll need approximately 6 gallons of gas for this journey.
- Cost of Gas: 6 gallons * $3.50 = $21.00
- Toll Prices: Since this route avoids toll roads, you won't need to worry about any toll costs!
- Total Cost: With just the cost of gas considered, the total cost for Route 2 is around $21.00.
Route 3: I-94 West
For those who prefer a more direct and faster route, I-94 West is a great option. This route spans a distance of 147 miles, with an estimated travel time of 2 hours and 20 minutes. Here's the cost breakdown:
- Gas Prices: Assuming the same gas price and fuel efficiency, you'll require around 5.88 gallons of gas for this trip.
- Cost of Gas: 5.88 gallons * $3.50 = $20.58
- Toll Prices: Similar to Route 1, this route requires you to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway. The total toll cost is around $8.50.
- Total Cost: Combining the cost of gas and tolls, the total cost for Route 3 is approximately $20.58 + $8.50 = $29.08.
No matter which route you choose, it's important to keep in mind that gas prices may fluctuate. Additionally, unexpected factors such as traffic and road conditions can impact the total time of your journey. However, armed with these estimates and a sense of adventure, your road trip from Chicago to Madison is sure to be a wonderful experience!
Safe travels!