Planning a Trip from Champaign, IL to Raleigh, NC: Evaluating Cost and Distance

When planning a road trip, there are several factors one must consider. One of the main factors is the cost involved in reaching the destination. In this article, we will evaluate the average cost to travel between Champaign, Illinois, and Raleigh, North Carolina. We will also explore different routes and their associated costs and distances to help travelers make informed decisions on how to plan their trip.

The Cost of Gas

Gas prices fluctuate frequently and impact the overall cost of travel. According to the US Energy Information Administration, the average cost of regular gasoline in the United States is $3.091 per gallon as of October 2021. This cost varies by state, city, and even gas station.

Evaluating Different Routes

When traveling from Champaign, Illinois to Raleigh, North Carolina, there are multiple routes to choose from. The three most common routes are the I-57 South & I-24 East route, the I-65 South & I-85 East route, and the I-70 East & I-77 South & I-85 South route. For each route, we will evaluate the distance and cost involved.

The I-57 South & I-24 East Route

The I-57 South & I-24 East route covers a distance of approximately 654 miles. Starting from Champaign, one needs to travel south on I-57 until it intersects with I-24 near Marion, Illinois. From there, one would follow I-24 east through Paducah, Kentucky, Nashville, Tennessee, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, to reach Atlanta, Georgia. Finally, one would need to take I-75 North and then merge onto I-85 North to reach Raleigh.

According to GasBuddy, filling up a car that gets an average of 25 miles per gallon (MPG) would require approximately 26 gallons of gas for this route. With the current national gas average of $3.091 per gallon, it would cost approximately $80.23 to fill up the car. At this rate, to travel the entire distance of 654 miles, it would cost an estimated $163.48 in gas alone.

The I-65 South & I-85 East Route

The I-65 South & I-85 East route covers a distance of approximately 680 miles. Starting from Champaign, one needs to travel south on I-57 until it intersects with I-65 near Mobile, Alabama. From there, one would follow I-65 east through Montgomery, Alabama, and Birmingham, Alabama, to reach Atlanta, Georgia. Finally, one would need to take I-75 North and then merge onto I-85 North to reach Raleigh.

According to GasBuddy, filling up a car that gets an average of 25 MPG would require approximately 27 gallons of gas for this route. With the current national gas average of $3.091 per gallon, it would cost approximately $83.40 to fill up the car. At this rate, to travel the entire distance of 680 miles, it would cost an estimated $174.63 in gas alone.

The I-70 East, I-77 South & I-85 South Route

The I-70 East, I-77 South & I-85 South route covers a distance of approximately 726 miles. Starting from Champaign, one needs to travel east on I-74 until it intersects with I-70 near Indianapolis, Indiana. From there, one would follow I-70 east through Columbus, Ohio, to Wheeling, West Virginia. From there, one would take I-77 south through Charleston, West Virginia, to Charlotte, North Carolina. Then, one would take I-85 south to reach Raleigh.

According to GasBuddy, filling up a car that gets an average of 25 MPG would require approximately 29 gallons of gas for this route. With the current national gas average of $3.091 per gallon, it would cost approximately $89.44 to fill up the car. At this rate, to travel the entire distance of 726 miles, it would cost an estimated $221.74 in gas alone.

Recommended Route

Based on the distance and cost involved, the I-57 South & I-24 East route seems to be the most cost-effective route to reach Raleigh from Champaign. This route would cost approximately $163.48 in gas alone, while the I-65 South & I-85 East route would cost an estimated $174.63, and the I-70 East, I-77 South & I-85 South route would cost an estimated $221.74 in gas.

Conclusion

When planning a road trip, evaluating gas prices and distance is crucial to managing costs. Of the three common routes to travel from Champaign, Illinois, to Raleigh, North Carolina, the I-57 South & I-24 East route seems to be the most cost-effective. With a distance of approximately 654 miles, it would cost an estimated $163.48 in gas, based on the current gas prices.