Road Trip! The Cost of Driving from Champaign, Illinois to Gatlinburg, Tennessee Based on Current Gas Prices

Are you itching for a road trip? Maybe you've been cooped up too long and are ready for adventure. If you're looking for a fun yet affordable getaway, why not take a drive to Gatlinburg, Tennessee? With beautiful scenery along the way and plenty to do once you get there, Gatlinburg is a great option for those wanting to escape for a little while. But just how much will it cost you to make the drive? Let's take a look at a few different routes and what you can expect to spend.

Route 1: Via I-57 South and I-24 East

The first route to consider takes you down I-57 South and I-24 East and is approximately 472 miles long. The trip should take you just over 7 hours, not counting rest stops along the way. With gas prices hovering around $2.25 per gallon, you'll likely spend around $67.50 on gas for your round trip, assuming your car gets about 25 miles per gallon.

If you take this route, you'll also want to budget for tolls. You'll pay around $7.80 to cross the Ohio River Bridges and around $4.80 to go through the Fort Pitt Tunnels. That brings the total cost of travel to around $80.10.

Route 2: Via I-65 South and I-40 East

Another option is to take I-65 South and I-40 East, which is about 473 miles long. This route takes just over 7.5 hours and will cost you around $68.50 in gas, assuming the same mileage and gas prices as before.

There are a few tolls along this route as well. You'll pay around $3.20 to cross the Tennessee River, $3.60 for the Cumberland River, and $2.10 for the Clinch River. This brings the grand total for this route to around $77.40.

Route 3: Via IL-13 East and I-75 South

If you're looking for a shorter route, you might consider taking IL-13 East and I-75 South, which is about 399 miles long. This route takes a little over 6.5 hours and will cost you around $57.00 in gas.

Unlike the previous routes, there are no tolls along this path. So, the total cost for this option is just $57.00.

Conclusion

Depending on the route you take, you can expect to spend anywhere from $57.00 to $80.10 on gas and tolls when driving from Champaign, Illinois to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Of course, this doesn't include the cost of food or lodging along the way, but it's a good starting point for planning your trip.

Whatever route you choose, be sure to take some time to enjoy the scenery along the way! With rolling hills and picturesque small towns, there's plenty to see on this drive. Happy trails!