US Trip Planner

Scenic Drives in Illinois

Routes

60

Avg Distance

378 mi

Avg Drive

7h 23m

Destinations

43

These 60 scenic drives in Illinois earned a drive score of 7+ out of 10. The average route covers 378 miles through the state's most varied and visually interesting terrain.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$3.94/gal

Diesel: $5.60/gal

Typical trip cost

$56–$64

One-way, ~378 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~132 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.

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	76	57	3.2	—
Oct	63	45	3.4	0.2
Nov	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

Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 60 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.

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 $56 and $64. Source: US Energy Information Administration.

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.

Top Scenic Routes

Cairo, IL → Waukegan, IL

411.7 mi 7h 46m Score: 8/10 ~$64 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Waukegan, IL → Unity, IL

405.4 mi 7h 47m Score: 8/10 ~$63 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Metropolis, IL → Waukegan, IL

403.6 mi 7h 40m Score: 8/10 ~$63 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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 ~$62 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

Naperville, IL → Cairo, IL

383.1 mi 7h 5m Score: 8/10 ~$59 fuel

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 ~$60 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 ~$60 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 ~$64 fuel

Through: Wisconsin

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Gages Lake, IL

376.9 mi 7h 26m Score: 9/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Wheaton, IL → Rosiclare, IL

376.5 mi 7h 24m Score: 8/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Benton

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Lake Villa, IL

376.2 mi 7h 33m Score: 9/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Waukegan, IL → Saline, IL

375.6 mi 7h 26m Score: 8/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Marion → Carbondale

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Venetian Village, IL

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

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Park City, IL → Bremen, IL

375 mi 7h 22m Score: 9/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: St. Louis → Springfield

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Round Lake Park, IL

373 mi 7h 29m Score: 9/10 ~$59 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 ~$58 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Grayslake, IL → Bremen, IL

372.2 mi 7h 26m Score: 8/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Saint Louis → Joliet Road South → Springfield

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Rockford, IL → Jonesboro, IL

371.4 mi 7h 10m Score: 9/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Champaign → Saint Louis → Decatur +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Green Oaks, IL

370.6 mi 7h 20m Score: 9/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Crystal Lake, IL → Crestwood, IL

370.5 mi 7h 13m Score: 8/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Suburbs → Indiana

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Elgin, IL → Anna, IL

370.5 mi 7h 1m Score: 8/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Indiana

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Knollwood, IL

370.3 mi 7h 18m Score: 9/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Hartland, IL

370.1 mi 7h 20m Score: 9/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Elmhurst, IL → Metropolis, IL

369.7 mi 6h 53m Score: 8/10 ~$59 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Rockford, IL → Eagle, IL

368 mi 7h 49m Score: 9/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Champaign → Saint Louis → Decatur +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Oakwood Hills, IL

367.8 mi 7h 26m Score: 9/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Wauconda, IL

366.2 mi 7h 14m Score: 9/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Tower Lake, IL

365.9 mi 7h 14m Score: 8/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Rockford, IL → Makanda, IL

365.1 mi 7h 13m Score: 9/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Champaign → Saint Louis → Decatur +3 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Highwood, IL

365 mi 7h 14m Score: 9/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Chicago, IL → Unity, IL

364.8 mi 6h 53m Score: 8/10 ~$62 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Metropolis, IL → Naperville, IL

364.3 mi 6h 59m Score: 8/10 ~$58 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Highland Park, IL

364 mi 7h 12m Score: 9/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Carrier Mills, IL → Rockford, IL

364 mi 7h 9m Score: 9/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Sandoval → Decatur

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → Coral, IL

363.9 mi 7h Score: 8/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Jonesboro, IL → Des Plaines, IL

363.9 mi 6h 46m Score: 8/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Wisconsin

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bremen, IL → North Barrington, IL

363.8 mi 7h 11m Score: 8/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Springfield → Kansas City → Peoria +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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Illinois Trips