Trip from Arlington Heights, IL to Macomb, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 42m

Distance

251.5 mi

405 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 29m ★

6 AM

4h 42m

8 AM

5h 9m

10 AM

4h 51m

12 PM

4h 49m

3 PM

4h 53m

5 PM

5h 8m

8 PM

4h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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village in Cook County, Illinois, United States; suburb of Chicago, Illinois

Arlington Heights, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in and the county seat of McDonough County, Illinois, United States

Macomb, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 251.5-mile journey from Arlington Heights, IL, to Macomb, IL, is designed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 42 minutes to complete. You'll primarily travel on IL 110, the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, with about 47% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $39. Given its manageable duration and distance, this route offers a straightforward drive through the Midwest region, making it an easy excursion without the need for an overnight stay.

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

125.7 miles from Arlington Heights, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
IL 110	56.7 mi	1h 7m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway	52.5 mi	56m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway	38.9 mi	41m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway	36.7 mi	39m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway	33.8 mi	36m
I 39	24.9 mi	27m
North Arlington Heights Road	3.1 mi	6m
North Lafayette Street	1.8 mi	3m

Longest stretch: IL 110 — 56.7 mi, about 1h 7m

Traffic on I-39

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~1,252 veh/hr typical · worst 1,626

Quietest

midnight

~126 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

9.9×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Arlington Heights, IL and Macomb, IL.

Start on East Euclid Avenue

48 ft · 5 sec · East Euclid Avenue

Turn right onto North Arlington Heights Road

3.1 mi · 6 min · North Arlington Heights Road

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 54 sec

Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford

Merge onto I 90

53 mi · 56 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington

Merge onto I 39; US 51

0.5 mi · 30 sec · I 39; US 51

Continue on I 39; US 20; US 51

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 39; US 20; US 51

Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51

22 mi · 24 min · I 39; US 51

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 50 sec

Exit 97B Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline, Rock Island

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

34 mi · 36 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Continue on I 88; IL 110

1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Continue on I 88; IL 110

38 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Exit 41

Continue on I 88; IL 92; IL 110

5.4 mi · 5 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Take the exit onto IL 110

7.1 mi · 8 min · IL 110

Toward I 80: Peoria

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 110

31 mi · 33 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway

Take the exit onto IL 110

50 mi · 59 min · IL 110

Exit 46A Toward US 34 West: Monmouth

Continue on US 67

1.2 mi · 1 min · East 1200th Street

Continue on US 67

1.8 mi · 3 min · North Lafayette Street

Arrive at destination

North Lafayette Street

Trip Plan

For this one-day drive of just under 5 hours, you have the flexibility to leave when it suits you, but an early start can help you maximize your time at your destination. With only one suggested stop, plan for a break around the halfway point or when you feel ready, keeping the longest stretch of 56.7 miles in mind. The estimated fuel cost of $39 is a good benchmark, but it's wise to confirm your fuel levels before departing Arlington Heights. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Macomb, as services might be more spaced out in certain sections.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 125.7 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, or about 2h 19m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.7 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 125.7 miles or 2h 19m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macomb, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Arlington Heights, 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 Arlington Heights, IL

This is one driving day of about 251.5 miles and 4h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Arlington Heights, 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 IL 110 for about 56.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Scott County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bettendorf, IA

126 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Rockford, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chadwick, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.7 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · around the midpoint

Lil' Smoked Bar + Grill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dixon, Illinois

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 2h 1m in / 2h 41m to go 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18156779867

Visit website

Mary's Diner

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dixon, Illinois

1.9 mi

River's Edge Inn

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dixon, Illinois

2.1 mi

Best coffee break · around the midpoint

Coffee Crush

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dixon, Illinois

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 2h 1m in / 2h 41m to go 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18153455909

Visit website

Lil' Smoked Bar + Grill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18156779867

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Colona, Illinois

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+13099670134

Huddle Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Ashton, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18154532677

Visit website

Grubsteakers Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Rochelle, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18155623430

Coffee Crush

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Dixon, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18153455909

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Final third 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Hampton, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–1 pm

+13097553077

Midway Village Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Rockford, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18153979112

Visit website

Flight Deck A Global Inspired Pub

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Rochelle, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18155613664

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 198.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Arlington Heights Road

Turn right onto North Arlington Heights Road

Navigation decision point

3.7 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Merge onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

56.2 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Take the exit toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington

81.8 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Take the exit toward I 88 West Toll: Moline, Rock Island

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 97B Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline, Rock Island

198.9 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in | IL 110

Take the exit onto IL 110 toward US 34 West: Monmouth

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 46A Toward US 34 West: Monmouth

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.81 one way

$83.63 round trip

$4.22/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$45.55	$91.09
premium	$5.18	$51.32	$102.64
diesel	$5.35	$52.97	$105.95

Estimated Tolls: $5.71

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (52.5 mi) $3.68

Reagan Memorial Tollway (33.8 mi) $2.03

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

$42

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 88 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	75.5	0	$26.41	$12.07
Efficient EV	62.9	0	$22.01	$10.06
EV Truck/SUV	100.6	1	$35.21	$16.10

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 Jun 1, 2026

Origin

Arlington Heights, IL

Afternoon in Arlington Heights on Wednesday

Local time

3:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Chance Rain Showers

N 5 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 5:49AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 1 at 5:44AM CDT until June 1 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Destination

Macomb, IL

Afternoon in Macomb on Wednesday

Local time

3:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

0 mph 22% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 5:49AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 1 at 5:44AM CDT until June 1 at 9:00AM 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

4 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 42m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive presents a mixed profile, blending efficient highway travel with other road types. With 47% of the route utilizing highways, you'll experience periods of faster driving, particularly on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 56.7 miles on IL 110, offering a sustained period on this particular road. This blend means the drive isn't a constant interstate experience but rather a varied one that changes as you progress toward Macomb.

47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 56.7 mi on IL 110.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Arlington Heights Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 251.5 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (North Arlington Heights Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

846 ft 589 ft

Total Climb

425 ft

Total Descent

422 ft

Highest Point

846 ft

~35.9 mi in

Elevation Range

258 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 Arlington Heights, IL to Macomb, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rock Island along the way.

Rock Island

81.8 mi in | ~1h 32m

About the Cities

Starting in Arlington Heights, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1887

Arlington Heights is a city in northeastern Chicagoland. The 2010 Census put the population at 75,101, the largest for a village in the United States. Arlington Heights is known for the Arlington Park Race Track as well as a large Japanese community, third in the state behind neighboring Schaumburg and Chicago proper. Some notable people have come from the village as well, including Walter Payton, Ted Nugent, and Ray Kroc (founder of McDonald's).

Arriving in Macomb, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1830

Macomb is a city in Illinois.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 42m. Total distance: 251.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 56.7 miles on IL 110. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $5.71 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.

Yes — we found about 17 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 Macomb, 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Macomb, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Arlington Heights, IL to Macomb, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-39

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Lil' Smoked Bar + Grill

Coffee Crush

Lil' Smoked Bar + Grill

Mary's Diner

River's Edge Inn

River City Ale House and Eatery

Fresco On First

I-80 Cafe - Colona, IL

Huddle Cafe

Grubsteakers Restaurant

Coffee Crush

7brew

Belvidere Oasis

TA

KrisdalaBaka Rest Area (Eastbound)

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

Speedway

Petro Stopping Centers

Road Ranger

KrisdalaBaka Rest Area (Westbound)

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Road Ranger

Rest Area

The Logger House

Midway Village Museum

Flight Deck A Global Inspired Pub

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Arlington Heights, IL

Macomb, IL

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 42m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Arlington Heights, IL

Arriving in Macomb, IL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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