Driving Cost from Champaign, Illinois to Washington, District of Columbia

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The Cost of Driving from Champaign, Illinois to Washington, District of Columbia

Are you planning a road trip from Champaign, Illinois to the nation's capital, Washington, DC? Driving is a great way to take in the beauty of the United States and save money on airfare and rental cars. But what is the cost of driving this long distance in terms of gas and tolls? Let's break it down by the different routes available to you.

Route 1: I-74 East and I-70 East (906 miles)

This is the most direct route and takes approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes. You will pass through cities such as Indianapolis, Columbus, and Pittsburgh. Here is a breakdown of the distance, gas cost, and toll prices:

  • Distance: 906 miles
  • Gas cost: Based on an average gas mileage of 25 miles per gallon (mpg) and a current national average gas price of $2.86 per gallon, the total gas cost for this route would be approximately $103.68.
  • Toll prices: Depending on which sections of the highway you take, tolls can range from about $5 to $30.

Route 2: I-55 South and I-70 East (924 miles)

This route adds a few extra miles but avoids some of the major cities and potential traffic congestion. It takes about 15 hours and 15 minutes. Here are the details on the distance, gas cost, and toll prices:

  • Distance: 924 miles
  • Gas cost: Based on an average gas mileage of 25 mpg and a current national average gas price of $2.86 per gallon, the total gas cost for this route would be approximately $105.84.
  • Toll prices: Depending on which sections of the highway you take, tolls can range from about $5 to $15.

Route 3: I-65 South and I-40 East (1,008 miles)

This route takes you through cities such as Nashville and Knoxville, and adds a significant amount of extra miles. But it may be worth it if you want to take in some different scenery. The estimated time of this route is around 16 hours. Here are the specifics on the distance, gas cost, and toll prices:

  • Distance: 1,008 miles
  • Gas cost: Based on an average gas mileage of 25 mpg and a current national average gas price of $2.86 per gallon, the total gas cost for this route would be approximately $115.20.
  • Toll prices: Depending on which sections of the highway you take, tolls can range from about $5 to $30.

Route 4: I-70 East and I-68 East (950 miles)

This route takes you through cities such as St. Louis and Baltimore and also includes a drive through the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. It takes about 15 hours and 30 minutes. Here are the details on the distance, gas cost, and toll prices:

  • Distance: 950 miles
  • Gas cost: Based on an average gas mileage of 25 mpg and a current national average gas price of $2.86 per gallon, the total gas cost for this route would be approximately $108.00.
  • Toll prices: Depending on which sections of the highway you take, tolls can range from about $5 to $20.

As you can see, the cost of driving from Champaign, Illinois to Washington, DC, can vary depending on the route you take. The shortest route on I-74 East and I-70 East is the cheapest gas-wise, while the longer and more scenic routes on I-65 South and I-40 East and I-70 East and I-68 East come with their own unique toll experiences. Plan ahead, pack some snacks for the road, and enjoy the drive!