Belleville, IL to Antioch, IL is 331.1 miles and takes about 6h 25m via I 55 and Veterans Memorial Tollway, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Illinois. Given the mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, it's a straightforward drive. Expect to spend the majority of your time on interstates, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a solid block of driving time, but it's well within reach for a single day.
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
165.5 miles from Belleville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
253.5 mi
4h 35m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi
24m
North Rand Road
14.3 mi
18m
North Illinois Street
9.3 mi
14m
IL 53
8.9 mi
11m
Fox Lake Road
5.9 mi
10m
I 290
5.6 mi
6m
US 12
4.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 253.5 mi, about 4h 35m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,681 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,233
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Belleville, IL and Antioch, IL.
1
Start on East F Street
59 ft·6 sec·East F Street
2
Turn right onto IL 159
9.3 mi·14 min·North Illinois Street
3
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
4
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
6
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
112 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 269Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest SuburbsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
12
Merge onto I 355
19 mi·24 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 290
5.6 mi·6 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
8.9 mi·11 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Lake Cook Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Lake Cook Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 12
14 mi·18 min·North Rand Road
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.9 mi·2 min·US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 12; IL 59
2.3 mi·2 min·US 12; IL 59
19
Turn slight right onto IL 59
2.7 mi·4 min·IL 59
20
Continue on IL 59
5.9 mi·10 min·Fox Lake Road
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on Lake Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Lake Street
22
At end of road, turn right onto IL 83
6 ft·0 sec·Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
IL 83
Trip Plan
For this 6h 25m drive, leaving in the morning after breakfast is ideal to maximize daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you can afford to be flexible with your stops. The longest continuous stretch is over 250 miles on I 55, so plan for a break before or after that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach the end of the interstate portion. Given the $51 fuel cost estimate, monitoring your MPG will help you stay on budget. The transition from Veterans Memorial Tollway to North Rand Road marks the end of the high-speed driving, so be prepared for slower speeds and potentially more local traffic.
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 165.5 miles from Belleville, IL, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 253.5 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 73 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.5 miles or 3h 6m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Antioch, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Belleville, 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 Belleville, IL
This is one driving day of about 331.1 miles and 6h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Belleville, 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 55 for about 253.5 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.6 and 293.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
17.6 mi into trip|~26m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
7
125.5 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
154.9 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
8
267.3 mi into trip|~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
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 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest...
6
293.8 mi into trip|~5h 32m in|IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.23 one way
$110.46 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$60.03
$120.06
premium
$5.26
$68.55
$137.11
diesel
$6.18
$80.55
$161.09
Estimated Tolls: $1.35
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.2 mi)$1.35
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
$55
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
22 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Rivian Waypoints
Normal, Illinois
Rivian
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Normal, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Normal, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Normal, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Normal, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Rivian Adventure Network
Normal, Illinois
Rivian
1 DCFC
State Farm Parking Garage
Bloomington, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Other: 9
ChargePoint: 8
Tesla: 3
Rivian: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.3
1
$34.77
$15.89
Efficient EV
82.8
0
$28.97
$13.24
EV Truck/SUV
132.4
1
$46.35
$21.19
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Belleville, IL
Late night
in Belleville on Monday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
SE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Antioch, IL
Late night
in Antioch on Monday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 25m 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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 91.3
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...
24 mi from route
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 274
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 83% of the drive on major roads like I 55 and Veterans Memorial Tollway. You'll experience a long stretch of 253.5 miles on I 55 before transitioning to surface roads like North Rand Road. Expect a consistent cruising speed for most of the trip, with a notable shift in pace and traffic patterns as you move off the interstate onto local routes closer to your destination. The density of exits on the interstates will be a key feature for much of the drive.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 253.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Veterans Memorial Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.6 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 331.1 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 17.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
840 ft514 ft
Total Climb
720 ft
Total Descent
448 ft
Highest Point
840 ft
~307.4 mi in
Elevation Range
326 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Belleville, IL and Antioch, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City, Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 25m. Total distance: 331.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 253.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.35 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans 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 32 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 Antioch, 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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 Antioch, IL before the return drive.
