Belleville, IL to Burbank, IL is 284.8 miles and takes about 5h 23m via I 55 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Midwest trip stays within Illinois, offering a straightforward drive. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, it's a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll spend the bulk of your time on major roadways, making it a good choice if you prioritize speed and directness.
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
142.4 miles from Belleville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
262.5 mi
4h 47m
North Illinois Street
9.3 mi
14m
Tri-State Tollway
4.2 mi
5m
Vandalia Street
2.8 mi
4m
West 95th Street
1.4 mi
3m
South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
South Ridgeland Avenue
1 mi
2m
Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 262.5 mi, about 4h 47m
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 Burbank, 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
121 mi·2 hr 15 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 277BToward I 294 South: IndianaUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 294
0.8 mi·57 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
13
Continue on I 294
3.4 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 17AToward US 12 East, US 20 East: 95th Street, 76th AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward US 12, US 20 East: 95th StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto US 12; US 20
1.4 mi·3 min·West 95th Street
17
Turn left onto South Ridgeland Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·South Ridgeland Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right
73 ft·8 sec
19
Turn left
114 ft·10 sec
20
Turn right onto West 87th Street
179 ft·4 sec·West 87th Street
21
Arrive at destination
West 87th Street
Trip Plan
For this 5h 23m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to ensure you have ample daylight. Since the route is recommended for a single day, you can complete it without needing an overnight stop. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 262.5 miles on I 55, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps around the midpoint of that stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area, where services can be more spread out or congested.
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 142.4 miles from Belleville, IL, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 262.5 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 63 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.4 miles or 2h 41m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burbank, 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 284.8 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 262.5 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 125.5 and 282.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
276.3 mi into trip|~5h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 294 South: Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 277B
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
8
281.9 mi into trip|~5h 17m in
Take the exit toward US 12 East, US 20 East: 95th Street, 76th Avenue
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 17A
Toward US 12 East, US 20 East: 95th Street, 76t...
9
282.1 mi into trip|~5h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 12, US 20 East: 95th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 12, US 20 East: 95th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.51 one way
$95.02 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$51.84
$103.67
premium
$5.25
$58.90
$117.80
diesel
$6.28
$70.37
$140.74
Estimated Tolls: $0.25
Tri-state Tollway
(4.2 mi)$0.25
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
$48
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.4
1
$29.90
$13.67
Efficient EV
71.2
0
$24.92
$11.39
EV Truck/SUV
113.9
1
$39.87
$18.23
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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 19, 2026
Origin
Belleville, IL
Late night
in Belleville on Thursday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Clear
SE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Burbank, IL
Late night
in Burbank on Thursday
Local time
5:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Clear
SSW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
43°F
Athens, IL
142 mi in
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
5h 23m 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.
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...
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
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 284.8
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 on highways, with 92% of the route utilizing them. You'll experience a long stretch of 262.5 miles on I 55, indicating extended highway cruising. The transition to surface roads, like North Illinois Street, will occur closer to your destination. Expect a consistent driving environment with frequent exits and merges common to major interstate travel.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 262.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North Illinois Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 125.5 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 14 significant decision points across 284.8 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 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; at 276.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
846 ft514 ft
Total Climb
549 ft
Total Descent
444 ft
Highest Point
846 ft
~162.7 mi in
Elevation Range
332 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 Burbank, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 284.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 262.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.25 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 Burbank, 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 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; at 276.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Burbank, IL before the return drive.
