The Cost of a Road Trip between Cedar Rapids, Iowa and St. Louis, Missouri

Traveling from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to St. Louis, Missouri is a beautiful trip that can be made by car. This route is marked by stunning landscapes, including rolling hills and the mighty Mississippi River, which make for an awe-inspiring road trip through America's heartland. But before you embark on this journey, you need to know how much it will cost. In this article, we will highlight the different possible routes, the distance of each one, and the cost of each route. We will also recommend the cheapest route and give an estimated time of arrival.

The Routes and their distances

There are multiple routes that one can take to travel from Cedar Rapids to St. Louis, each with its level of scenic beauty, travel times, and costs. The following are the three most common routes.

Route 1: I-80E and I-55S (405 miles)

This route takes you from Cedar Rapids to St. Louis through Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. To start the journey, you will take I-80E from Cedar Rapids and drive for about 122 miles to get to Joliet, Illinois. From Joliet, you will take I-55S and drive for approximately 283 miles to get to St. Louis, Missouri. This route has a beautiful scenic view, making it worth traveling if you have the time and resources.

Route 2: I-380S, I-80E, and US-61S (392 miles)

This route takes you from Cedar Rapids to St. Louis through Iowa and Missouri. To begin the journey, you will take I-380S from Cedar Rapids and drive for about 26 miles to get to Iowa City. From here, you will take I-80E and travel for approximately 133 miles to Hannibal, Missouri. You will then take US-61S and drive for about 98 miles to get to St. Louis. This route is more scenic, has less traffic, and is a good alternative to Route 1.

Route 3: IA-92E and I-74E (489 miles)

This route takes you from Cedar Rapids to St. Louis through Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. To start, you will take IA-92E and travel for about 85 miles to Muscatine, Iowa. From Muscatine, you will take I-74E and drive for approximately 340 miles through Illinois to get to East Peoria, Illinois. Here, you will take I-155S and travel for about 36 miles before merging with I-55S for around 25 miles to get to St. Louis. This route is the longest and is less scenic but is an excellent option if you prefer high-speed driving.

The Costs of the Different Routes

The cost of traveling the Cedar Rapids to St. Louis route depends on various factors such as gas prices, distance, and vehicle type. When calculating the costs, we used the official average fuel economy estimates of various vehicles and listed them below. We also used the current gas price of $3.25 per gallon in the calculation.

Route 1: I-80E and I-55S (405 miles)

This route is approximately 405 miles long and, assuming you get an average of 25 miles per gallon, will consume around 16.2 gallons of gas for a one-way trip, totaling $52.65. Assuming a round trip, the total cost of gas will amount to $105.30.

Route 2: I-380S, I-80E, and US-61S (392 miles)

This route is approximately 392 miles long and, assuming you get an average of 25 miles per gallon for your vehicle, it will consume around 15.7 gallons of gas for a one-way trip, totaling $50.69. Assuming a round trip, the total cost of gas will amount to $101.38.

Route 3: IA-92E and I-74E (489 miles)

This route is approximately 489 miles long and, assuming you get an average of 25 miles per gallon, will consume around 19.6 gallons of gas for a one-way trip, totaling $63.70. Assuming a round trip, the total cost of gas will amount to $127.40.

Recommendation

While all three routes are beautiful, we recommend Route 2, which is cheaper and shorter. It also has less traffic and is less susceptible to traffic jams than the other two routes. This route passes through beautiful Iowa countryside and the rolling hills of Missouri, giving you the perfect opportunity to enjoy a scenic drive.

Conclusion

The Cedar Rapids to St. Louis road trip is a beautiful experience that's worth the cost and time. Taking Route 2 will give you an affordable and enjoyable way to travel between these two cities. With a distance of approximately 392 miles, and gas prices at the average of $3.25, the estimated fuel cost is around $101.38 for a round trip. With many available routes, it's recommended you choose Route 2 if you're looking for an affordable, less congested, and scenic route to St. Louis, Missouri.