Belleville, IL to Hickory Hills, IL is 281.9 miles and takes about 5h 20m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward trip entirely within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest. Given the relatively short duration and predominantly highway profile, it's a manageable drive for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B without much fuss. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to travel 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
140.9 miles from Belleville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
263.7 mi
4h 49m
North Illinois Street
9.3 mi
14m
Vandalia Street
2.8 mi
4m
La Grange Road
2.2 mi
3m
West 87th Street
1.4 mi
3m
South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
83rd Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
91st Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 263.7 mi, about 4h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belleville, IL and Hickory Hills, 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
123 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 279AToward US 12 South, US 20 South, US 45 South: La Grange RoadUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto US 12; US 20; US 45
2.2 mi·3 min·La Grange Road
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto West 87th Street
1.4 mi·3 min·West 87th Street
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto 83rd Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·83rd Avenue
14
Turn left onto 91st Street
101 ft·4 sec·91st Street
15
Arrive at destination
91st Street
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of just over 5 hours, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Aim to depart Belleville in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow for a relaxed pace. There's only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically. You'll be on I 55 for the longest stretch of 263.7 miles, so consider stopping for fuel and a stretch before you begin that segment, or ensure you have enough gas to cover it. As you get closer to Hickory Hills, be prepared for more frequent exits and traffic on the surface streets.
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 140.9 miles from Belleville, IL, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.7 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 62 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.9 miles or 2h 39m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hickory Hills, 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 281.9 miles and 5h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 263.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.6 and 280 — 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
277.5 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward US 12 South, US 20 South, US 45 South: La Grange Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 279A
Toward US 12 South, US 20 South, US 45 South: L...
6
280 mi into trip|~5h 15m in|West 87th Street
Turn left onto West 87th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.07 one way
$88.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$48.39
$96.78
premium
$4.89
$54.25
$108.50
diesel
$5.61
$62.24
$124.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.6
1
$29.60
$13.53
Efficient EV
70.5
0
$24.67
$11.28
EV Truck/SUV
112.8
1
$39.47
$18.04
Gas CO2
99 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Belleville, IL
Late night
in Belleville on Tuesday
Local time
4:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hickory Hills, IL
Late night
in Hickory Hills on Tuesday
Local time
4:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Springfield, IL
141 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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 20m 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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 281.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 94% highway, meaning you'll be on I 55 for the vast majority of the 281.9 miles. The longest continuous stretch on the interstate is 263.7 miles. You'll transition to surface roads, specifically North Illinois Street and Vandalia Street, as you approach your destination. Expect a consistent cruising experience on the interstate, with a notable increase in exit and entrance ramps as you get closer to the Chicago metropolitan area.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 263.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 17.6 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 281.9 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.
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 Hickory Hills, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 281.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 263.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 Hickory Hills, 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 34 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hickory Hills, IL before the return drive.
