The Cost of a Trip Between Appleton, Wisconsin and Monroe, Louisiana

If you are planning a trip from Appleton, Wisconsin to Monroe, Louisiana, you will likely be thinking about the cost of the trip, including gas prices, mileage, and other expenses. This article will dive into the various factors that influence the cost of this trip and provide you with the information you need to plan an affordable and efficient journey.

Possible Routes

Before diving into the costs of the trip, let's explore the different possible routes that you can take on your journey from Appleton, Wisconsin to Monroe, Louisiana. There are a few different routes available, each with different distances, travel times, and potential expenses.

Route 1: Via I-55 S

One route you can take is via I-55 S. This route is approximately 1,170 miles long and takes an estimated 17 hours and 45 minutes to drive. This route will take you through several cities, including St. Louis, Missouri, Memphis, Tennessee, and Jackson, Mississippi.

Route 2: Via I-39 S and I-55 S

Another route you can take is via I-39 S and I-55 S. This route is approximately 1,358 miles long and takes an estimated 20 hours and 30 minutes to drive. This route will take you through several cities, including Bloomington, Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, Memphis, Tennessee, and Jackson, Mississippi.

Route 3: Via I-39 S and I-40 W

A third route you can take is via I-39 S and I-40 W. This route is approximately 1,417 miles long and takes an estimated 21 hours and 10 minutes to drive. This route will take you through several cities, including Bloomington, Illinois, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee.

The Cost of Gas

When planning a trip, one of the biggest expenses you will encounter is the cost of gas. To determine the cost of gas, we need to take into consideration several factors, including the price of gas, the gas mileage of your vehicle, and the distance you will travel. The average gas price in the United States is currently $3.07 per gallon, which we will use as a baseline for our calculations.

To calculate the cost of gas for each route, we need to know the estimated mileage of each route and the gas mileage of your vehicle. Let's assume an average gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon.

Route 1: Via I-55 S

The estimated mileage for this route is 1,170 miles. Dividing this number by our assumed gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon, we get a total of 46.8 gallons of gas required to complete the journey. Multiplying this by the average gas price of $3.07 per gallon, we get a total cost of $143.94.

Route 2: Via I-39 S and I-55 S

The estimated mileage for this route is 1,358 miles. Dividing this number by our assumed gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon, we get a total of 54.3 gallons of gas required to complete the journey. Multiplying this by the average gas price of $3.07 per gallon, we get a total cost of $166.49.

Route 3: Via I-39 S and I-40 W

The estimated mileage for this route is 1,417 miles. Dividing this number by our assumed gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon, we get a total of 56.7 gallons of gas required to complete the journey. Multiplying this by the average gas price of $3.07 per gallon, we get a total cost of $174.14.

Other Costs

While gas prices are a significant expense for any road trip, there are several other expenses to consider. These expenses may include tolls, food, lodging, and any additional activities you may want to participate in on your journey.

Tolls

Toll roads are a potential expense on any road trip. The cost of tolls can vary widely depending on the route you take and the number of toll booths you encounter. Route 1 has a few toll booths on the way, and you can expect to pay around $20 for the tolls on this route. Route 2 also has toll booths, but we estimate the total to be around $30. There aren't any tolls on route 3.

Food and Lodging

As you travel, you will likely need to eat and sleep. The cost of food and lodging can vary depending on your preferences and your budget. You may choose to pack your food and cook along the way, or you may want to stop at restaurants and cafes. The cost of lodging can vary as well, with options such as camping, hotels, and motels. In general, you can expect to spend around $50 to $100 per night on lodging and food.

Activities

Lastly, there may be additional activities you want to participate in along the way. For example, you may want to visit a national park or attend a concert. The cost of these activities will vary widely, but you should budget between $50 and $100 per activity.

Recommended Route

After analyzing the different routes and factoring in the costs of gas, tolls, food, lodging, and activities, we recommend taking Route 1 via I-55 S. Although it is slightly shorter than other routes, it has fewer tolls and is the most direct route. The total estimated cost of the trip is around $250, including gas, tolls, food, and lodging.

Conclusion

In conclusion, planning a road trip from Appleton, Wisconsin to Monroe, Louisiana involves various expenses and considerations. Gas prices are a significant expense, but other costs should also be factored in when making the journey. Route 1 via I-55 S is our recommended route, as it is the most direct with fewer toll booths and minimal additional expenses. Enjoy your journey!