The Cost of Driving from Ames, Iowa to Champaign, Illinois: Gas Prices and Route Options

Are you planning to take a road trip from Ames, Iowa to Champaign, Illinois, but wondering how much it will cost? If so, you've come to the right place! In this blog post, we'll break down the different route options available, how far they are, and how much gas money and tolls you can expect to pay.

Route Option 1: I-80 E and I-57 S

This route is the most straightforward, taking you directly from Ames to Champaign via interstates 80 and 57. The distance between the two cities via this route is approximately 267 miles, which takes about 4 hours and 17 minutes to drive. You'll only need to pay one toll on this route, which is $1.50 at the Illinois Tollway.

Now, let's talk about the cost of this trip. Assuming your vehicle gets an average of 25 miles per gallon, you'll use about 10.7 gallons of gas each way. According to AAA, the average gas price in Iowa as of August 2021 is $2.89 per gallon. So, to drive to Champaign and back, you'll spend about $61.88 on gas. Add the toll cost to that, and you're looking at a total cost of about $63.38.

Route Option 2: US-30 E and I-57 S

If you're looking for a more scenic route, you can take US-30 east from Ames before joining up with I-57 south to head towards Champaign. This route is a bit longer than the interstate-only option, spanning about 295 miles total. However, it only adds about 20 minutes of additional driving time, bringing your total trip time to 4 hours and 37 minutes. You'll still only pay the $1.50 toll at the Illinois Tollway.

When it comes to the cost of this route, you'll use slightly more gas due to the additional driving distance. Assuming the same 25 miles per gallon fuel efficiency, your round trip will use about 11.8 gallons of gas. With the same regional gas price average in effect, this route option will cost you about $68.22 for fuel and tolls combined.

Route Option 3: I-35 S and I-80 E

Your third option for driving to Champaign from Ames is to head south on I-35 before heading east on I-80. This route is the longest but also the fastest one. It covers a total distance of approximately 320 miles and takes around 5 hours to drive. You'll need to pay two tolls along this route: one in Iowa for $1.50 and one in Illinois for $1.90.

What about the cost of this route? With an average fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, you'll use about 12.8 gallons of gas for the round trip. The same gas price for the region applies, and therefore this option will cost you about $73.44. Add the toll price to that, and your total cost comes to $76.84.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Depending on which route you take, driving from Ames, Iowa to Champaign, Illinois, cost can vary between $63.38 and $76.84 round trip. While these expenses may seem small, they can add up quickly, especially if you'll be driving frequently. Therefore, it's important to take them into account when planning your trip and budget accordingly. Safe travels!