Driving Cost from Charleston, West Virginia to Gurnee, Illinois

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The Cost of a Road Trip between Charleston, WV and Gurnee, IL

Are you planning a road trip between Charleston, West Virginia and Gurnee, Illinois? One of the first things you'll need to consider is how much it's going to cost you. Between gas, food, and lodging, expenses can quickly add up. In this article, we'll break down the cost and distance of different possible routes, and recommend the best one for you.

Route 1: I-64 W and I-57 N (824 miles)

The most direct route between Charleston and Gurnee is to take I-64 W and I-57 N. This route is approximately 824 miles and will take about 12 hours to drive straight through. Here's a breakdown of the estimated expenses for this route, based on current gas prices:

  • Gas: If you have a car with a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon (mpg), you will need to buy about 33 gallons of gas for this trip. According to GasBuddy, the average price of gas in Charleston is currently $3.19 per gallon, and in Gurnee, it's $3.18 per gallon. This brings the total cost of gas to approximately $105.
  • Tolls: You will encounter several tolls on this route, totaling about $15.
  • Food: Assuming you eat three meals a day, you will need to budget around $30 per day for food. For a three-day trip, that would be $90.
  • Lodging: If you plan to stop and stay overnight somewhere, you will need to budget for lodging. The average cost of a hotel room in the U.S. is around $130 per night. For a two-night stay, that would be $260.

Adding up all the costs, the estimated total cost of this trip would be around $470.

Route 2: I-64 W, I-55 N, and I-94 W (898 miles)

Another option is to take I-64 W, I-55 N, and I-94 W. This route is slightly longer - about 898 miles - but it may offer better scenery and amenities along the way. Here's a breakdown of the estimated expenses:

  • Gas: With the same 25 mpg car, you will need to buy about 36 gallons of gas for this route. Since you'll be traveling through multiple states, the price of gas will vary. According to GasBuddy, the average price of gas in Charleston is $3.19, but in other states, it could be higher. For the purposes of this estimate, let's assume the average price is $3.25 per gallon. This brings the total cost of gas to approximately $117.
  • Tolls: There are fewer tolls on this route than the previous one, totaling about $10.
  • Food: Same as before - budget around $30 per day for food, or $90 for the whole trip.
  • Lodging: Same as before - budget $260 for a two-night hotel stay.

Adding up all the costs, the estimated total cost of this trip would be around $477.

Route 3: I-77 N, I-70 W, I-74 N, and I-94 W (969 miles)

The longest route, but also one that may offer different scenery and attractions, involves taking I-77 N, I-70 W, I-74 N, and I-94 W. Here's a breakdown of the estimated expenses for this route:

  • Gas: With the same 25 mpg car, you will need to buy about 39 gallons of gas for this route. According to GasBuddy, the average price of gas in Charleston is $3.19, but in other states, it could be higher. Let's assume the average price is $3.25 per gallon, bringing the total cost of gas to approximately $127.
  • Tolls: You'll encounter several tolls on this route, totaling about $25.
  • Food: Budget around $30 per day for food, or $90 for the whole trip.
  • Lodging: Same as before - budget $260 for a two-night hotel stay.

Adding up all the costs, the estimated total cost of this trip would be around $502.

Which Route is Best?

When deciding which route to take, there are several factors to consider. The most obvious one is cost - as we've seen, the cheapest route is the direct one, I-64 W and I-57 N. However, other factors may be more important to you, such as the scenery, attractions, and amenities along the way. Route 2, I-64 W, I-55 N, and I-94 W, may be a good compromise between cost and experience.

Ultimately, the decision is up to you and your travel preferences. Whichever route you choose, make sure to budget accordingly and plan ahead for any unexpected expenses.

Conclusion

A road trip between Charleston, West Virginia and Gurnee, Illinois will cost you anywhere from $470 to $502, depending on the route you take. While the direct route is the cheapest, other routes may offer a more enjoyable travel experience. Whichever route you choose, make sure to budget for gas, tolls, food, and lodging ahead of time. Safe travels!