Driving Cost from Centralia, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri

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The Cost of a Trip Between Centralia and St. Louis Based on Current Gas Prices

Planning a trip between Centralia, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri, can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to the cost. Luckily, with the current gas prices, the cost of a trip between these two destinations has become more affordable. In this article, we will discuss the different possible routes and the cost and distance of each one, recommend the best route, and provide a conclusion with information about how long it took to make the trip.

Possible Routes

There are three possible routes to get from Centralia to St. Louis: Route 1 via I-64 W, Route 2 via IL-161 W and I-64 W, and Route 3 via I-57 S and I-64 W.

Route 1: I-64 W

Route 1 is the shortest in distance, covering a total of 70.5 miles. However, it involves driving through downtown St. Louis, which can result in heavy traffic and take a longer time to reach the destination. If you plan to take this route, you will drive west on I-64, which will take you through cities like Mount Vernon and Wentzville before arriving at St. Louis.

Route 2: IL-161 W and I-64 W

Route 2 also covers a total of 70.5 miles, and it's slightly longer than Route 1 but doesn't involve driving through downtown St. Louis. Instead, you will drive west on IL-161 to I-64, which will take you around St. Louis and directly to your destination. Keep in mind that the traffic on I-64 can be heavy during rush hour.

Route 3: I-57 S and I-64 W

Route 3 is the longest of the three routes, covering about 93 miles, but it is a smooth ride and doesn't require navigating through heavy traffic or downtown St. Louis. If you decide to take this route, you will drive south on I-57 and then head west on I-64.

Cost and Distance of Each Route

The cost of a trip from Centralia to St. Louis depends on several factors, including gas prices, the vehicle you are driving, and the route you choose. Here is a breakdown of the cost and distance of each route based on the current gas prices of $2.92 per gallon.

Route 1: I-64 W

To cover the 70.5 miles of Route 1, you will need about 2.5 gallons of gas each way, which will cost you around $14.60 per trip. If you decide to make a round trip, you will pay a total of $29.20 for gas.

Route 2: IL-161 W and I-64 W

To cover the same distance of 70.5 miles for Route 2, you will need about 2.5 gallons of gas each way, costing you around $14.60 per trip. If you decide to make a round trip, you will pay a total of $29.20 for gas.

Route 3: I-57 S and I-64 W

Since Route 3 is the longest, it requires more gas. To cover the 93 miles, you will need about 3.2 gallons of gas each way, which will cost you around $18.60 per trip. If you decide to make a round trip, you will pay a total of $37.20 for gas.

Based on the cost and distance of each route, we recommend Route 2: IL-161 W and I-64 W. It offers a smooth ride, avoids downtown St. Louis, and is the most affordable option. Plus, it takes about the same time as Route 1.

Conclusion

Making a trip from Centralia, Illinois, to St. Louis, Missouri, can be an exciting adventure. With the current gas prices, driving has become a more affordable and feasible option. While there are different routes to consider, we suggest taking Route 2: IL-161 W and I-64 W. This route offers the most affordable cost and a smooth ride. It takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete the trip, depending on traffic and road conditions.