Alden, IL to York, IL is 314.3 miles and takes about 6h 24m via I 39 and I 74, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. You'll primarily be on interstate highways, making for a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a single-day duration, this route is ideal for a quick transit between points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
157.2 miles from Alden, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 39
122.4 mi
2h 11m
I 74
80.9 mi
1h 27m
South Main Street
30.4 mi
45m
Georgetown Road
29.6 mi
44m
West Brink Street
12.4 mi
17m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
8.3 mi
8m
US 51
7.6 mi
8m
IL 173
6.1 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 122.4 mi, about 2h 11m
Traffic on I-39
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~990 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,284
Quietest
1 AM
~98 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alden, IL and York, IL.
1
Start on V12
11 ft·7 sec·Alden Road
2
Turn left onto IL 173
6.1 mi·8 min·IL 173
3
Turn left onto US 14; IL 173
0.5 mi·49 sec·North Division Street
4
Turn right onto IL 173
12 mi·17 min·West Brink Street
5
Continue on IL 173
5.6 mi·7 min·State Route 173
6
Continue on IL 173
1.5 mi·2 min·West Lane Road
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto I 39; I 90; US 51
8.3 mi·8 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51
0.8 mi·52 sec·I 39; US 51
Toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
10
Continue on I 39; US 20; US 51
2.1 mi·2 min·I 39; US 20; US 51
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51
119 mi·2 hr 8 min·I 39; US 51
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51
7.6 mi·8 min·US 51
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51
81 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 74; US 51
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, DecaturUse the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 150, IL 1
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
16
Turn straight onto US 150; IL 1
14 mi·20 min·Georgetown Road
17
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.9 mi·2 min·North State Street
18
Continue on US 150; IL 1
6.1 mi·9 min·Georgetown Road
19
Continue on US 150; IL 1
0.3 mi·28 sec·1575 E US 36
20
Continue on US 150; IL 1
10 mi·14 min·Georgetown Road
21
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.4 mi·3 min·IL Route 1
22
Turn right onto US 150; IL 1
512 ft·8 sec·West Elliot Street
23
Turn left onto US 150; IL 1
1.7 mi·2 min·North Central Avenue
24
Continue on IL 1
0.1 mi·11 sec·Vandalia Way
25
Turn straight onto IL 1
30 mi·45 min·South Main Street
26
Turn sharp left onto East 150th Road
1.9 mi·7 min·East 150th Road
27
Continue on West Broadway Street
0.2 mi·1 min·West Broadway Street
28
Turn left onto North York Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·North York Street
29
Arrive at destination
North York Street
Trip Plan
For this 6h 24m drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight. The route is mostly highway, so you can cover ground efficiently. Plan for one stop to break up the 314.3 miles; the longest stretch without a major change is 122.4 miles on I 39. With a fuel cost around $56, it's a budget-friendly trip. Pay attention to exit numbers as you approach your destination in York.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 157.2 miles from Alden, IL, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 69 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.2 miles or 2h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near York, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alden, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alden, IL
This is one driving day of about 314.3 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Alden, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 39 for about 122.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 35 and 246.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
35 mi into trip|~47m in|I 39; US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51 toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39, US 51 South: Bloomington
6
157.4 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champai...
8
165 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|I 74; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51 toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business N...
5
245.9 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 150, IL 1
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 150, IL 1
7
246.1 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.41 one way
$92.83 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$51.24
$102.48
premium
$4.72
$58.36
$116.71
diesel
$4.80
$59.35
$118.69
Estimated Tolls: $0.58
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(8.3 mi)$0.58
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.3
1
$33.00
$15.09
Efficient EV
78.6
0
$27.50
$12.57
EV Truck/SUV
125.7
1
$44.00
$20.12
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Alden, IL
Morning
in Alden on Sunday
Local time
10:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Patchy Smoke
WSW 5 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:32PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
York, IL
Morning
in York on Sunday
Local time
10:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 7 mph66% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:32PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 24m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 71% of this 314.3-mile drive is on the highway. You'll encounter a continuous stretch of 122.4 miles on I 39. The route begins with significant highway mileage before transitioning to surface streets, indicated by South Main Street in York. Expect frequent exits on the interstate portions of the drive.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.4 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and I 74. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 35 miles in near I 39; US 51.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 314.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 35 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157.4 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 165 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,007 ft451 ft
Total Climb
223 ft
Total Descent
779 ft
Highest Point
1,007 ft
Elevation Range
555 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alden, IL and York, IL, road signs point toward Champaign, Saint Louis and Decatur.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 314.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.4 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.58 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at York, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 35 miles (I 39; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 157.4 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 165 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at York, IL before the return drive.
