Arlington Heights, IL to Olney, IL is 266.5 miles and takes about 5h 27m via I 57 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Illinois with a predominantly highway profile. Most of the drive is on major interstates, making it a straightforward trip for those looking for efficiency. With only one recommended stop and a single day's drive, this route is ideal for a quick transit between these two Illinois locations.
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
133.2 miles from Arlington Heights, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
156.5 mi
2h 49m
Tri-State Tollway
27.1 mi
33m
North 1250th Street
13.3 mi
19m
South Van Buren Street
11 mi
15m
Route 130
10 mi
14m
County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi
9m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
6.6 mi
7m
Illinois Route 16
6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 156.5 mi, about 2h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights, IL and Olney, IL.
1
Start on East Euclid Avenue
48 ft·5 sec·East Euclid Avenue
2
Turn right onto North Arlington Heights Road
3.3 mi·6 min·North Arlington Heights Road
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 90 East: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
4
Merge onto I 90
6.6 mi·7 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 77AToward I 294 Toll South, I 190 West: Indiana, O'HareUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana
7
Merge onto I 294
10 mi·13 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
11
Continue on I 294
8.5 mi·10 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 12 B-AToward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 12AToward IL 50 South: Cicero AvenueUse the straight lane.
14
Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83
4.9 mi·7 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto 167th Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·167th Street
Use the left lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
17
Merge onto I 57
157 mi·2 hr 49 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 190AToward IL 16 East: Charleston
19
Turn straight onto IL 16
0.7 mi·1 min·Charleston Avenue East
20
Continue on IL 16
6.0 mi·8 min·Illinois Route 16
21
Continue on IL 16
1.8 mi·2 min·West Lincoln Avenue
22
Turn right onto IL 130
1.6 mi·2 min·18th Street
23
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·Illinois Route 130
24
Continue on IL 130
10.0 mi·14 min·Route 130
25
Continue on IL 130
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 1825 East
26
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 1775 E
27
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Haughton Highway
28
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi·1 min·1700E
29
Continue on IL 130
4.0 mi·5 min·North Haughton Highway
30
Continue on IL 130
2.1 mi·3 min·County Road 1700E
31
Continue on IL 130
13 mi·19 min·North 1250th Street
32
Turn left onto IL 130
11 mi·15 min·South Van Buren Street
33
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi·9 min·County Road 1100 East
34
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi·2 min·North West Street
35
Turn left onto West Butler Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Butler Street
36
Turn right onto North Walnut Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·North Walnut Street
37
Arrive at destination
South Walnut Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 27m duration, leaving Arlington Heights in the morning should allow you to reach Olney with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a 266.5-mile distance, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since the estimated cost is $42, and ensure you're topped up before heading into the longer 156.5-mile stretch on I 57. Since the entire trip can be completed in one day, you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule and preferences.
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 133.2 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.5 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 59 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.2 miles or 2h 37m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olney, 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 266.5 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 I 57 for about 156.5 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 39.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.3 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 90 East: Chicago
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
8
10.3 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Toll South, I 190 West: Indiana, O'Hare
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 77A
Toward I 294 Toll South, I 190 West: Indiana, O...
6
26 mi into trip|~35m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
38.9 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
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 12 B-A
Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th...
8
39.1 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 12A
Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.66 one way
$83.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$45.75
$91.49
premium
$4.89
$51.29
$102.57
diesel
$5.61
$58.84
$117.68
Estimated Tolls: $2.09
Tri-state Tollway
(27.1 mi)$1.63
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(6.6 mi)$0.46
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
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$27.98
$12.79
Efficient EV
66.6
0
$23.32
$10.66
EV Truck/SUV
106.6
1
$37.31
$17.06
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Arlington Heights, IL
Morning
in Arlington Heights on Tuesday
Local time
6:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Olney, IL
Morning
in Olney on Tuesday
Local time
6:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
11 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
5h 27m 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.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 36.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 65% highway driving, offering a consistent pace for most of the 266.5 miles. You'll experience a long stretch of 156.5 miles on I 57, which means extended periods of uninterrupted cruising. The route transitions from the Tri-State Tollway to I 57, eventually moving to surface roads like North 1250th Street. Expect to notice the shift from higher-speed interstate travel to more local road conditions as you approach your destination.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.5 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
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 19 significant decision points across 266.5 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 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 266.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 156.5 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.09 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 Olney, 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 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Olney, IL before the return drive.
