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Fall Road Trips in Illinois

Routes

30

Avg Distance

386 mi

Avg Drive

7h 30m

Destinations

23

Illinois in the fall offers a solid collection of drives, with 30 routes averaging 382 miles and nearly 7.5 hours. These trips explore mostly flat terrain, reaching a maximum elevation of around 780 feet. You'll find excellent EV charging coverage on many routes, with some boasting over 20 DC fast chargers. This state's autumn drives provide a straightforward way to see the landscape change.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$3.94/gal

Diesel: $5.60/gal

Typical trip cost

$58–$64

One-way, ~386 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~135 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-08-31

Climate through the year: Illinois

Illinois peaks at around 85°F in Jul and cools to 32°F / 19°F in Jan. Wettest month is May at ~4.5 in of rain. Table highlights Fall months.

Month High °F Low °F Rain in Snow in
Jan 32 19 2 11.3
Feb 36 22 2 10.7
Mar 47 31 2.5 5.5
Apr 59 40 3.8 1.3
May 71 51 4.5 —
Jun 80 61 4.1 —
Jul 85 66 3.7 —
Aug 83 65 4.3 —
Sep peak 76 57 3.2 —
Oct peak 63 45 3.4 0.2
Nov peak 48 34 2.4 1.8
Dec 37 24 2.1 7.6

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for IL — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Planning Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

We've identified 30 routes in Illinois that work well for fall travel, based on drive quality, typical weather conditions, and distance (averaging 386 miles).
Current regular gas averages $3.94/gallon in Illinois (week of 2026-08-31). Diesel: $5.60/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $58 and $64. Source: US Energy Information Administration.
Across Sep, Oct, Nov, Illinois typically sees daytime highs in the 48–76°F range with about 3 in of rain per month on average. Based on NOAA 1991–2020 monthly climate normals.
Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.
Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Fall Routes

Editor's pick

Cairo, IL → Waukegan, IL

411.7 mi 7h 46m Score: 8/10 ~$64 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

This 411-mile route scores an 8 out of 10 for its drive quality. It features mostly highway driving across generally flat terrain and includes access to parks, making it a good option for a fall color tour.

Editor's pick

Waukegan, IL → Unity, IL

405.4 mi 7h 47m Score: 8/10 ~$63 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

With a drive score of 8, this 405-mile trip stands out for its excellent EV coverage, including 22 DC fast chargers. It’s a mostly highway route through flat landscapes, offering convenient charging for longer hauls.

Editor's pick

Metropolis, IL → Waukegan, IL

403.6 mi 7h 40m Score: 8/10 ~$63 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

This 403-mile selection also earns a drive score of 8 and provides excellent EV charging availability with 14 DC fast chargers. The drive is primarily on highways through level terrain, with park access noted.

Elgin, IL → Cairo, IL

396.6 mi 7h 30m Score: 8/10 ~$61 fuel

Through: Indiana

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Elgin, IL → Metropolis, IL

390.3 mi 7h 23m Score: 8/10 ~$62 fuel

Through: Indiana

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Warren, IL

390 mi 7h 51m Score: 9/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Hartsburg +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Wheaton, IL → Cairo, IL

387.2 mi 7h 11m Score: 8/10 ~$60 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Rosiclare, IL → Rockford, IL

387 mi 7h 52m Score: 9/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Sandoval → Decatur

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Metropolis, IL → Arlington Heights, IL

386.7 mi 7h 16m Score: 8/10 ~$61 fuel

Through: Wisconsin

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Des Plaines, IL → Cairo, IL

385.9 mi 7h 11m Score: 8/10 ~$61 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Niles, IL → Cairo, IL

385.6 mi 7h 10m Score: 8/10 ~$60 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Waukegan, IL → Anna, IL

385.3 mi 7h 15m Score: 8/10 ~$61 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Lake Catherine, IL

385.1 mi 7h 40m Score: 9/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Richmond, IL

384.9 mi 7h 33m Score: 9/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Channel Lake, IL → Bremen, IL

384.9 mi 7h 42m Score: 8/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Saint Louis → Joliet Road South → Springfield

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Waukegan, IL → Eagle, IL

383.3 mi 7h 56m Score: 8/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Belle Rive → Bluford

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Guilford, IL

383.2 mi 7h 55m Score: 9/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Hartsburg +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Pleasant Grove, IL → Waukegan, IL

382.4 mi 7h 17m Score: 8/10 ~$59 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Beach Park, IL

381.5 mi 7h 34m Score: 9/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Lindenhurst, IL

381 mi 7h 32m Score: 9/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Metropolis, IL → Des Plaines, IL

380 mi 7h 7m Score: 8/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Wisconsin

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Wonder Lake, IL → Bremen, IL

379.3 mi 7h 33m Score: 8/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Champaign → Saint Louis → Decatur +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Pistakee Highlands, IL

379.1 mi 7h 29m Score: 9/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Fox Lake Hills, IL

378.9 mi 7h 31m Score: 9/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Stockton, IL

378.4 mi 7h 33m Score: 9/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Hartsburg +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Grandwood Park, IL

378.2 mi 7h 28m Score: 9/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Hebron, IL

378.2 mi 7h 23m Score: 8/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Round Lake Heights, IL

377.6 mi 7h 32m Score: 9/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Waukegan, IL → Bremen, IL

377.6 mi 7h 28m Score: 9/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: O'hare → St. Louis → Springfield

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Metropolis, IL → Elk Grove, IL

377 mi 7h 7m Score: 8/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Wisconsin

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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