Arcola, IL Road Trips
Drivers starting from Arcola, IL have 7 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Midwest. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 36-mile quick runs to 208-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Arcola, IL head north, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
12
Longest Drive
207.9 mi
Waukegan, IL
Quickest Drive
44m
Champaign, IL
Plan Around Arcola, IL
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Arcola, IL is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Arcola, IL
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Arcola, IL
Driving from Arcola, IL
Expect an average of 140 miles and about 2h 45m behind the wheel when leaving Arcola, IL. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 208 miles (4h 4m), while the shortest is just 36 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Arcola, IL most often head toward Waukegan, IL (207.9 mi, 4h 4m), Elgin, IL (194.7 mi, 3h 51m), Chicago, IL (166.8 mi, 3h 10m), Markham, IL (146.1 mi, 2h 41m), and Joliet, IL (146 mi, 2h 53m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in IL currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 140-mile trip from Arcola, IL, budget about $21 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Routes mostly head north. Summer trips benefit from long daylight hours, while winter departures should start early to maximize visibility. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 7 mapped routes leaving Arcola, IL and 5 routes heading into Arcola, IL, covering 12 total connections. Distances range from 36 to 208 miles.
The longest mapped route from Arcola, IL covers 208 miles and takes approximately 4h 4m. Shorter options start at just 36 miles.
The average route from Arcola, IL runs about 140 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 45m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 140-mile trip from Arcola, IL costs roughly $21 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Arcola, IL include Waukegan, IL, Elgin, IL, Chicago, IL and Markham, IL. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Arcola, IL by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
2,867
Median Income
$85,697
Median Home Value
$122,800
Median Age
35.8
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Arcola, IL
Arcola is a city in the Central Illinois region of Illinois with about 2,900 residents in 2020. Visitors will get a sense of small-town Midwest as they walk or drive down the streets of Arcola. The countryside surrounding the city houses the largest Amish population in Illinois with many small shops operated by Amish craftsmen in and around the area.
Arcola is located in Douglas County, Illinois. Mostly surrounded by farmland, the town is roughly a 40-minute drive from Champaign-Urbana. Arcola was founded in 1855 when the Central Illinois Railroad company built a railroad through the area. The Illinois Central Railroad Company was responsible for surveying and selling plots of land in the development of the town. Arcola was the birthplace of John Barton Gruelle, creator of the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. Arcola is somewhat famous for the Lawn Rangers, a "precision lawn mower drill team" that marches in formation with brooms and lawnmowers while wearing cowboy hats. Every year since 1980 the Lawn Rangers have marched in the Arcola Broomcorn Festival Parade. 1 Arcola Historic Train Depot & Information Center (Arcola Chamber of Commerce), 135 N Oak St, ☏ +1 217 268-4530. M-Sa 10AM-3PM. This train Depot was built in 1885 for the Central Illinois Railroad that ran through town. It holds CIR memorabilia, the largest Louis Klein collection of antique brooms and brushes in the United States, and Arcola relics. Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls and collectibles are also on display. (updated Mar 2022)
1 Hippie Memorial, N Oak St (from E Main St, turn north on N Oak Street, memorial is to the left). Claims to be the only memorial to hippies in existence. Created by Bob Moonmaw to honor the artists and free spirits of the Hippie Movement. (updated Mar 2022) 2 Arcola Public Library (Andrew Carnegie Library), 407 E Main St, ☏ +1 217 268-4477. M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. Arcola's public library was built by Andrew Carnegie in 1905. (updated Mar 2022) Arcola Broom Corn Festival. An annual event held on the weekend after Labor Day each September. Foot races, live music, contests, and a parade featuring the Lawn Rangers. (updated Apr 2022)
1 Moore Memorial Park, Kelly Moore Dr. Sunrise-sunset daily. A nice park that has a two baseball fields, a playground, basketball court, four tennis courts, and a soccer field. (updated Mar 2022) 2 Arcola Architectural Tours, 229 E. Jefferson St, ☏ +1 217 268-4876, [email protected]. A tour that goes through the architectural history of small-town America. (updated Mar 2022) 3 Aikman Wildlife Adventure, 125N N Co Rd 425E (head west out of town on Illinois 133 towards Arthur then turn left on N Co Rd 425E; the park will be on your left down the road), ☏ +1 217 268-3500, [email protected]. Sa 10AM-4PM. A drive-thru wildlife adventure park. (updated Jan 2026)
1 Broomtown Cafe, 130 E Main St, ☏ +1 217 518-1022. M-Th Sa 6:30AM-2PM, F 6:30AM-8PM. (updated Mar 2022) 2 El Taco Tako Mexican Food, 202 S Chestnut St, ☏ +1 217 268-4900. W Sa 11AM-9PM, Th F 9:30AM-9PM, Su 8AM-noon. (updated Mar 2022) 3 Vita's Food Taqueria, 221 E Springfield Rd, ☏ +1 217 460-0244. Tu W 11AM-7PM, Th-Sa 11AM-8PM. (updated Mar 2022) 4 Monical's Pizza, 528 E Springfield Rd, ☏ +1 217 268-4141. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM. (updated Mar 2022) 5 Hen House Restaurants & Gifts, 547 E Springfield Rd, ☏ +1 217 268-3712. Everyday 5:30AM–3PM. A bar and grill with good food and a giftshop. (updated Mar 2022)
1 It'll Do Bar & Grill, 620 Schrock Dr, ☏ +1 217 543-4059. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F 11AM-1AM, Sa noon-1AM, Su noon-10PM. (updated Mar 2022) 2 Back Alley Saloon, 128 E Main St, ☏ +1 217 294-5919. M-Th 2-10PM, F Sa 2PM-1AM, Sun noon-10PM. (updated Mar 2022) 3 Shae's Pub and Grub, 126 N Oak St, ☏ +1 217 268-3177. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM, Su noon-9PM. (updated Mar 2022)
1 Best Western Plus Green Mill Village Hotel & Suites Convention Center, 917 Green Mill Rd (exit from I-57 onto Illinois 133 and head east; turn right onto Egyptian Rd and then the first right onto Green Mill Road; the hotel will be to your left), ☏ +1 217 268-5000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. $98 per night for a single room, and up. (updated Mar 2022) 2 Quality Inn, 610 E Springfield Rd (exit I-57 and head west on Illinois 133; the hotel will be to the left just past the Phillips 66 station), ☏ +1 217 268-400. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. $87 per night for a single room, and up. (updated Mar 2022)
Most visitors to Arcola can drive into town from the north from Champaign and from the south on either US highway 45 or I-57. Illinois Highway 133 allows access to Arcola from east and west. Arcola is not serviced directly by an airport. The closest airport is 1 Willard AirportCMI IATA, 28 mi (45 km) north in Champaign, with flights to and from Chicago and Fort Worth daily. The airport also houses multiple rental car companies to travel around the local area.
Like most Illinois towns, Arcola is easiest to maneuver via car. Many of the roads in town also have sidewalks that allow for walking around the city center and some residential areas. There are no widespread public transit that services the city.
Travel tips adapted from Arcola (Illinois) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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