Anna, IL to Elmhurst, IL is 352.2 miles and takes about 6h 31m via I 57 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest route stays entirely within Illinois, making it a straightforward hop between regions. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, it's a practical option for getting from point A to B efficiently. Plan for about 90% of your travel to be on major interstates, so expect consistent speeds for most of the trip.
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
176.1 miles from Anna, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
185.5 mi
3h 21m
Ken Gray Expressway
133 mi
2h 23m
Tri-State Tollway
21.7 mi
26m
East Vienna Street
5.8 mi
8m
South York Street
2.1 mi
4m
Roosevelt Road
0.5 mi
<1m
South York Road
0.5 mi
<1m
770N
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 185.5 mi, about 3h 21m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,073 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,461
Quietest
2 AM
~180 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 99 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 Anna, IL and Elmhurst, IL.
1
Start on IL 146
34 ft·1 sec·Broad Street
2
Turn right onto IL 146
5.8 mi·8 min·East Vienna Street
3
Continue on IL 146
0.3 mi·27 sec·770N
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
5
Merge onto I 57
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·Ken Gray Expressway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
185 mi·3 hr 21 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 349-350Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, WisconsinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi·3 min
Exit 349Toward I 294 Toll North: WisconsinUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto I 294
21 mi·25 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 30BToward IL 38 West: Roosevelt RoadUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto IL 38
0.5 mi·38 sec·Roosevelt Road
Use the right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward North York RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto South York Road
0.5 mi·55 sec·South York Road
16
Continue on South York Street
2.1 mi·4 min·South York Street
17
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
38 ft·3 sec·West Park Avenue
18
Turn slight right
65 ft·4 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 6.5-hour drive, departing in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Elmhurst comfortably. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your timing, but aim to leave early to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you near the Chicago area. There's only one recommended stop, so plan your break strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel level; while the estimated cost is $56, it's always wise to refuel before you're running on empty, particularly as you enter busier tollway sections. Pay close attention to signage for the Tri-State Tollway as it can have multiple lanes and exit options.
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 176.1 miles from Anna, IL, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.5 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 77 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.1 miles or 3h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmhurst, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anna, 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 Anna, IL
This is one driving day of about 352.2 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Anna, 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 57 for about 185.5 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 139.3 and 348.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
139.3 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
8
324.8 mi into trip|~5h 54m in
Take the exit toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevar...
8
325.1 mi into trip|~5h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
6
347.7 mi into trip|~6h 23m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
348.6 mi into trip|~6h 24m in
Take the exit toward IL 38 West: Roosevelt Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 30B
Toward IL 38 West: Roosevelt Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.75 one way
$117.50 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$63.85
$127.71
premium
$5.26
$72.92
$145.84
diesel
$6.18
$85.68
$171.36
Estimated Tolls: $1.30
Tri-state Tollway
(21.7 mi)$1.30
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
$59
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.7
1
$36.98
$16.91
Efficient EV
88.1
1
$30.82
$14.09
EV Truck/SUV
140.9
1
$49.31
$22.54
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Anna, IL
Late night
in Anna on Sunday
Local time
5:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Clear
N 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:22AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Elmhurst, IL
Late night
in Elmhurst on Sunday
Local time
5:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Clear
N 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:22AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
5 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 31m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 327.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 90% of the 352.2 miles spent on major roads like I 57 and the Tri-State Tollway. You'll experience a significant stretch of 185.5 miles on I 57 before transitioning to other routes. Expect a dense network of exits as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area, requiring attention to lane changes and traffic flow. The initial part of the drive will likely feel more rural before the urban merging begins.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.5 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 139.3 miles in near I 57.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 352.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 139.3 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 324.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 325.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
740 ft436 ft
Total Climb
438 ft
Total Descent
377 ft
Highest Point
740 ft
~226.8 mi in
Elevation Range
304 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Anna, IL to Elmhurst, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Wisconsin along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 31m. Total distance: 352.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 185.5 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.30 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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 route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Elmhurst, 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 139.3 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 324.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 325.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Elmhurst, IL before the return drive.
