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Fall Road Trips in Illinois

Routes

30

Avg Distance

377 mi

Avg Drive

7h 23m

Destinations

26

Fall in Illinois offers a spectrum of driving experiences, with 30 routes averaging 377 miles and nearly 7.5 hours of wheel time. You'll find drives with excellent EV coverage and up to 28 DC fast chargers, traversing mostly flat terrain with maximum elevations around 782 feet. The state's fall foliage provides a colorful backdrop for exploring its diverse landscapes.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$4.22/gal

Diesel: $5.35/gal

Typical trip cost

$60–$72

One-way, ~377 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~132 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-06-01

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 377 miles).
Current regular gas averages $4.22/gallon in Illinois (week of 2026-06-01). Diesel: $5.35/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $60 and $72. 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 ~$72 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

This nearly 412-mile drive scores an 8 out of 10, featuring excellent EV charger availability. It navigates mostly flat terrain, reaching a modest 782 feet in elevation, and includes access to parks for fall color viewing.

Editor's pick

Waukegan, IL → Unity, IL

405.4 mi 7h 47m Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

With a drive score of 8, this 405-mile route boasts excellent EV coverage and 21 DC fast chargers. It travels across mostly flat terrain, peaking at 774 feet, and provides opportunities to stop at parks along the way.

Editor's pick

Metropolis, IL → Waukegan, IL

403.6 mi 7h 40m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

This route spans 404 miles with a drive score of 8. While specific EV charger counts aren't detailed, it offers access to parks and travels through mostly flat terrain, with a maximum elevation of 769 feet.

Bremen, IL → Warren, IL

390 mi 7h 51m Score: 9/10 ~$65 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Hartsburg +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Metropolis, IL → Arlington Heights, IL

386.7 mi 7h 16m Score: 8/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Wisconsin

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Waukegan, IL → Anna, IL

385.3 mi 7h 15m Score: 8/10 ~$64 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Richmond, IL

384.9 mi 7h 33m Score: 9/10 ~$64 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Waukegan, IL → Eagle, IL

383.3 mi 7h 56m Score: 8/10 ~$64 fuel

Through: Belle Rive → Bluford

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Guilford, IL

383.2 mi 7h 55m Score: 9/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Hartsburg +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Beach Park, IL

381.5 mi 7h 34m Score: 9/10 ~$63 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Metropolis, IL → Des Plaines, IL

380 mi 7h 7m Score: 8/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Wisconsin

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Pistakee Highlands, IL

379.1 mi 7h 29m Score: 9/10 ~$63 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Hebron, IL

378.2 mi 7h 23m Score: 8/10 ~$63 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Metropolis, IL → Elk Grove, IL

377 mi 7h 7m Score: 8/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Wisconsin

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Waukegan, IL → Saline, IL

375.6 mi 7h 26m Score: 8/10 ~$62 fuel

Through: Marion → Carbondale

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Venetian Village, IL

375.4 mi 7h 33m Score: 9/10 ~$62 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Round Lake Park, IL

373 mi 7h 29m Score: 9/10 ~$65 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Cairo, IL → Naperville, IL

372.4 mi 7h 5m Score: 8/10 ~$62 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Rockford, IL → Jonesboro, IL

371.4 mi 7h 10m Score: 9/10 ~$62 fuel

Through: Champaign → Saint Louis → Decatur +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Elgin, IL → Anna, IL

370.5 mi 7h 1m Score: 8/10 ~$65 fuel

Through: Indiana

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Knollwood, IL

370.3 mi 7h 18m Score: 9/10 ~$62 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Hartland, IL

370.1 mi 7h 20m Score: 9/10 ~$62 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Rockford, IL → Eagle, IL

368 mi 7h 49m Score: 9/10 ~$61 fuel

Through: Champaign → Saint Louis → Decatur +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Metropolis, IL → Naperville, IL

364.3 mi 6h 59m Score: 8/10 ~$64 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Highland Park, IL

364 mi 7h 12m Score: 9/10 ~$61 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → North Barrington, IL

363.8 mi 7h 11m Score: 8/10 ~$64 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Gilmer, IL

363.7 mi 7h 15m Score: 8/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Metropolis, IL → Chicago, IL

362.6 mi 6h 46m Score: 8/10 ~$60 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Carpentersville, IL

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

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Hawthorn Woods, IL

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

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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