Arlington Heights, IL to Saline, IL is 357.4 miles and takes about 7h 2m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward trip. With 82% of the journey on major highways, you'll likely experience a consistent pace. Plan for about 2 stops along the way to break up the 7-hour drive. This route is best suited for those prioritizing efficiency and getting to their destination with minimal detours.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
178.7 miles from Arlington Heights, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
254.2 mi
4h 34m
Ken Gray Expressway
37.4 mi
40m
Tri-State Tollway
27.1 mi
33m
West Deyoung Street
7.8 mi
11m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
6.6 mi
7m
Stonefort Road
5.1 mi
12m
Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi
7m
Saraville Road
3.7 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 254.2 mi, about 4h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights, IL and Saline, 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
188 mi·3 hr 23 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
37 mi·40 min·Ken Gray Expressway
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
23
Merge onto IL 13
7.8 mi·11 min·West Deyoung Street
24
Turn right onto Crab Orchard Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Crab Orchard Road
25
Turn right onto Saraville Road
3.7 mi·8 min·Saraville Road
26
Keep slight left at fork onto Stonefort Road
5.1 mi·12 min·Stonefort Road
27
Continue on Will Scarlet Road
1.3 mi·5 min·Will Scarlet Road
28
Turn left onto Peabody Road
0.7 mi·2 min·Peabody Road
29
Arrive at destination
Peabody Road
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 2m duration, starting your drive from Arlington Heights in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in Saline with ample daylight. With 2 recommended stops, plan to take a break roughly every 2-3 hours to stay refreshed. The longest stretch on I 57 is over 250 miles, so be sure to fuel up before embarking on that section. The $56 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always monitor current prices. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your timing as needed.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.7 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.2 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 79 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.7 miles or 3h 27m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saline, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington Heights, IL
This is one driving day of about 357.4 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Arlington Heights, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 254.2 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.3 and 337.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
6
337.1 mi into trip|~6h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 13: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.88 one way
$111.75 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$61.35
$122.70
premium
$4.89
$68.78
$137.56
diesel
$5.61
$78.91
$157.82
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
$56
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.2
1
$37.53
$17.16
Efficient EV
89.4
1
$31.27
$14.30
EV Truck/SUV
143
1
$50.04
$22.87
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Arlington Heights, IL
Evening
in Arlington Heights on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saline, IL
Evening
in Saline on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
25 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
7h 2m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 82% of the 357.4 miles covered on major interstates and tollways like the Tri-State Tollway and I 57. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 254.2 miles on I 57, offering a solid period of consistent driving. Expect a predominantly highway feel for most of the trip, which translates to higher speeds and fewer interruptions. The Ken Gray Expressway also contributes to the highway nature of this route.
82% 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: 254.2 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 10.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 357.4 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 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; at 38.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Arlington Heights, IL and Saline, IL, road signs point toward Marion and Carbondale.
Marion
336.8 mi in|~6h 17m
Carbondale
336.8 mi in|~6h 17m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 2m. Total distance: 357.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 254.2 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 Saline, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 38.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saline, IL before the return drive.
