The Cost of Driving from Beach Park, Illinois to Washington, Illinois: Current Gas Prices

Are you planning a road trip from Beach Park, Illinois to Washington, Illinois? Whether it's for a family vacation or a business trip, it's important to consider the cost of driving. With the current gas prices, let's take a look at the different routes, their distances, times, tolls, and costs.

Route 1: I-55 South

First, we have the route that takes you through Chicago and down I-55 South. This route covers a distance of 180 miles and takes around 3 hours to travel. You'll pass through multiple tolls, including the Chicago Skyway and the Illinois Tollway. The total toll cost for this route is approximately $14.90. With the current gas prices of around $2.55 per gallon, you'll require about 7 gallons of gas to complete the journey. This will amount to a gas cost of approximately $17.85.

In total, this route will cost you around $32.75 in tolls and gas.

Route 2: I-294 South and I-55 South

If you want to avoid driving through Chicago, you can take I-294 South and jump on I-55 South. While this route is a bit longer at 192 miles, it is also slightly faster, taking about 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete. This route also passes through multiple tolls, including the Illinois Tollway and the William G. Stratton, Abraham Lincoln, and H. Gates Phillips Expressways. The total toll cost for this route comes out to approximately $16.85. With the current gas prices, you'll need about 7.5 gallons of gas, bringing the total gas expense to around $19.12.

In total, this route will cost you around $35.97 in tolls and gas.

Route 3: I-57 South and I-74 West

Finally, we have a route that takes you through Champaign-Urbana. This route covers a distance of 215 miles and takes around 4 hours. This route passes through multiple tolls, including the Kingery Highway and the Illinois Tollway. The total toll cost for this route comes out to approximately $12.35. With the current gas prices, you'll need about 8.5 gallons of gas, bringing the total gas expense to around $21.68.

In total, this route will cost you around $33.03 in tolls and gas.

Conclusion

All three routes have their advantages and disadvantages. While Route 1 may be the shortest, it has the highest total cost. Route 2 is slightly more expensive due to its tolls, but it is a faster route that avoids driving through Chicago. Finally, Route 3 is the longest, but it has the lowest total cost.

Whichever route you choose, make sure to factor in any other expenses such as food, lodging, and unplanned stops. With careful planning and consideration, you can enjoy your road trip from Beach Park to Washington while keeping costs under control. Safe travels!