The Cost of a Trip Between Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Fayetteville, Arkansas in Light of Recent Gas Prices

Traveling by car is one of the most common ways of getting to one's destination. However, the cost of gas can be quite high, especially if the distance is long. In this article, we will explore the cost of a trip between Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Fayetteville, Arkansas, taking into consideration the different routes and the current gas prices. We will also provide a recommendation for the best route and conclude with a brief description of the trip.

The Different Possible Routes

There are several routes that one can take when traveling between Cape Girardeau and Fayetteville. Here are three of the most common routes that people use:

Route 1- Via I-55 and I-40

This is the most direct route and has a length of 320 miles. Starting from Cape Girardeau, one would take I-55 S toward Memphis. After approximately 70 miles, take Exit 289 and merge onto US-412 W/US-63 S toward Paragould. Then merge onto I-40 W and continue straight for approximately 145 miles until you reach Fayetteville.

Route 2- Via US-65 S and US-62 W

This route is slightly longer than Route 1 as it has a length of 338 miles. Starting from Cape Girardeau, take Route 74 East and merge onto I-55 S. After approximately 25 miles, take Exit 93 for US-61 S/N US-67 S toward Arkansas. Continue on US-67 S for approximately 63 miles. Take a slight right onto US-412 W/US-62 W and continue straight for approximately 80 miles. Merge onto US-65 S towards Little Rock and continue for 55 miles. Then take the exit for US-62 W and continue straight for approximately 35 miles until you reach Fayetteville.

Route 3- Via US-412 W and I-49 South

This route is the longest of the three, with a length of 380 miles. Starting from Cape Girardeau, take Route 74 East and merge onto I-55 S. After approximately 25 miles, take Exit 93 for US-61 S/N US-67 S toward Arkansas. Continue on US-67 S for approximately 63 miles. Take a slight right onto US-412 W/US-62 W and continue straight for approximately 75 miles. Then merge onto I-49 S and continue straight for approximately 130 miles until you reach Fayetteville.

Cost and Distance of Each Route

To calculate the cost of each route, we need to consider the current gas prices and the fuel economy of the car. As of September 2021, the average gas price in Missouri is $2.98, while in Arkansas, it is $2.86 per gallon. We will assume that the car has a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon.

Route 1- Via I-55 and I-40

This route has a length of 320 miles, which means that the car will consume approximately 12.8 gallons of gas. The cost of gas for this route will be approximately $38.14 in Missouri and $36.61 in Arkansas. Therefore, the total cost of this route will be approximately $74.75.

Route 2- Via US-65 S and US-62 W

This route has a length of 338 miles, which means that the car will consume approximately 13.52 gallons of gas. The cost of gas for this route will be approximately $40.28 in Missouri and $38.72 in Arkansas. Therefore, the total cost of this route will be approximately $79.

Route 3- Via US-412 W and I-49 South

This route has a length of 380 miles, which means that the car will consume approximately 15.2 gallons of gas. The cost of gas for this route will be approximately $45.30 in Missouri and $43.52 in Arkansas. Therefore, the total cost of this route will be approximately $88.

Recommendation for the Best Route

Based on the length of each route and the cost of gas, Route 1 Via I-55 and I-40 is the most efficient route to take as it is the shortest and has the lowest gas cost.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several routes that one can take when traveling between Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Fayetteville, Arkansas. Each route has its own peculiar features and the cost of gas must be considered when deciding which route to take. Based on the current gas prices and fuel economy of the car, Route 1- Via I-55 and I-40 was found to be the best route, with a total cost of approximately $74.75. The total time it takes to cover a distance of 320 miles varies depending on many factors, including traffic, rest breaks, and driving style. However, one can expect to spend an average of 5 to 6 hours on the road.