The Cost of Driving from Chapel Hill, NC to Cottage Grove, MN: A Guide Based on Current Gas Prices

If you're planning a road trip from Chapel Hill, NC to Cottage Grove, MN, it's essential to estimate the cost of the journey to ensure that you're within budget. Several routes will get you to your destination, but the cost of each can vary significantly. In this article, we will cover the different routes available and their respective costs, giving you an overview of the overall expenses.

Route 1: The I-85 N and I-80 W Route

The first route, the I-85 N and I-80 W route, is the shortest of the three routes, covering approximately 1,198 miles. Driving this route will take an estimated 18 hours and 30 minutes. While it may be the quickest, there are specific tolls and steep inclines along the way that may offset the time and distance savings.

Assuming your vehicle gets around 25 miles per gallon, and the average gas price in early 2021 is around $2.50 per gallon, you'll need about $143 for gas to complete the journey. Additionally, tolls can add up to around $54.

Route 2: The I-77 N and I-70 W Route

If you want to reduce the toll cost, an alternate route is the I-77 N and I-70 W route, which adds around 94 miles to the journey. The mileage of this route is approximately 1,292 miles, and it takes about 19 hours and 30 minutes to complete the trip.

Assuming the same vehicle conditions and gas prices as above, this route will cost roughly $157 for gas without any additional tolls. You'll need about $36 for tolls, making the total cost of this route come in at around $193.

Route 3: The I-64 W and I-70 W Route

The final route, the I-64 W and I-70 W route, is the longest of the three routes, adding around 250 miles to the journey along with steeper inclines. The distance of this route is about 1,448 miles, and the estimated time of arrival is around 21 hours.

Using the same calculations, this route will cost around $172 for gas, and additional tolls can add about $42 to the total cost. The total cost of this route will come in at around $214.

Overall Cost Analysis

Considering all three routes, assuming the same vehicle and gas prices, driving from Chapel Hill to Cottage Grove one-way can take anywhere from 18 to 21 hours and cost anywhere from around $197 to $214, including gas and tolls. These routes' prices are relatively comparable, with the shortest but most toll-heavy route offering slight gas savings.

In conclusion, when traveling between Chapel Hill, NC, and Cottage Grove, MN, be sure to take into account the information provided in this article to help make an informed decision when selecting your route to keep within your budget.