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Summer Road Trips in Illinois

Routes

30

Avg Distance

386 mi

Avg Drive

7h 30m

Destinations

22

Illinois in the summer offers a great variety of drives, with 30 routes averaging 385 miles and taking about 7.5 hours. These trips generally stay flat, with max elevations around 782 feet. Enjoy excellent EV charging coverage on many routes, perfect for covering long distances with ease. You'll find plenty of park access along the way to break up the driving.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$3.94/gal

Diesel: $5.60/gal

Typical trip cost

$59–$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 Summer 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 peak 80 61 4.1 —
Jul peak 85 66 3.7 —
Aug peak 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

Frequently Asked Questions

We've identified 30 routes in Illinois that work well for summer 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 $59 and $64. Source: US Energy Information Administration.
Across Jun, Jul, Aug, Illinois typically sees daytime highs in the 80–85°F range with about 4 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.

Summer 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 route scores an 8 out of 10 for its drive quality, stretching over 411 miles. It boasts excellent EV coverage with 18 DC fast chargers, making it a breeze for electric vehicle drivers covering the mostly flat terrain.

Editor's pick

Waukegan, IL → Unity, IL

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

Another solid drive with a score of 8, this 405-mile trip offers a consistent experience through flat landscapes. While EV coverage details aren't specified, its length and profile suggest a straightforward journey.

Editor's pick

Metropolis, IL → Waukegan, IL

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

This trip also earns a drive score of 8, covering 403 miles. The consistently flat terrain makes for an accessible drive, with the added benefit of park access for potential stops along the way.

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 ~$61 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 ~$60 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 ~$60 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

Naperville, IL → Unity, IL

377.1 mi 7h 7m Score: 8/10 ~$60 fuel
High drive quality

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