Berwyn, IL to Alorton, IL is 286.4 miles and takes about 5h 23m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Illinois, making it a straightforward drive with minimal logistical planning. Given its relatively short duration and predominantly highway profile, it's a convenient option for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect a consistent driving experience. This route is well-suited for those looking for an efficient way to cover ground without extensive 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
143.2 miles from Berwyn, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
146.8 mi
2h 38m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
125.9 mi
2h 22m
I 255
7 mi
8m
South Harlem Avenue
2.8 mi
5m
Riverside Drive
0.8 mi
1m
New Missouri Avenue
0.6 mi
<1m
Oak Park Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
North 42nd Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 146.8 mi, about 2h 38m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,733 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,150
Quietest
2 AM
~161 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Berwyn, IL and Alorton, IL.
1
Start on West Cermak Road
91 ft·5 sec·West Cermak Road
2
Turn right onto Oak Park Avenue
0.1 mi·21 sec·Oak Park Avenue
3
Turn right onto Riverside Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Riverside Drive
4
Turn left onto IL 43
2.8 mi·5 min·South Harlem Avenue
5
Turn right
137 ft·5 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 55 South
7
Merge onto I 55
126 mi·2 hr 22 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 10Toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 255 South: Memphis
12
Merge onto I 255
7.0 mi·8 min·I 255
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 17BToward IL 15 West: Missouri Avenue, East Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto IL 15
0.6 mi·51 sec·New Missouri Avenue
15
Turn left onto IL 163
492 ft·22 sec·Old Missouri Avenue
16
Turn right onto North 42nd Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·North 42nd Street
17
Turn left onto East Broadway
19 ft·0 sec·East Broadway
18
Arrive at destination
East Broadway
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 23m estimated drive time, leaving Berwyn in the morning should allow you to reach Alorton with plenty of daylight to spare. The route is primarily highway, so plan for your one stop to be for fuel and a quick break. With a fuel cost estimated at $42, it's a budget-friendly trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 146.8-mile stretch on I 55, as services can be spaced out on interstates. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility in your departure time.
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 143.2 miles from Berwyn, IL, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.8 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 143.2 miles or 2h 45m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alorton, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Berwyn, 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 Berwyn, IL
This is one driving day of about 286.4 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Berwyn, 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 146.8 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 3.8 and 285.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.8 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 South
8
129.9 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
7
194.7 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
6
276.7 mi into trip|~5h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 10
Toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
8
285.1 mi into trip|~5h 20m in
Take the exit toward IL 15 West: Missouri Avenue, East Saint Louis
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 17B
Toward IL 15 West: Missouri Avenue, East Saint...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.29 one way
$84.59 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$46.69
$93.38
premium
$4.72
$53.18
$106.35
diesel
$4.80
$54.08
$108.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.9
1
$30.07
$13.75
Efficient EV
71.6
0
$25.06
$11.46
EV Truck/SUV
114.6
1
$40.10
$18.33
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Jul 15, 2026
Origin
Berwyn, IL
Late night
in Berwyn on Sunday
Local time
4:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Clear
W 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 3:02AM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 14 at 9:07PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Alorton, IL
Late night
in Alorton on Sunday
Local time
4:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Clear
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 15 at 3:02AM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 14 at 9:07PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
85°F
Bloomington, IL
143 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
5 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 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 187.7
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 drive is 98% highway, meaning you'll encounter very few surface roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch on a major highway will be 146.8 miles on I 55. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 255. Expect a consistent cruising experience with minimal interruptions from traffic lights or slower speeds until you reach the immediate vicinity of Alorton.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in.
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 286.4 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 3.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 129.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
848 ft417 ft
Total Climb
516 ft
Total Descent
717 ft
Highest Point
848 ft
~122.8 mi in
Elevation Range
431 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Berwyn, IL to Alorton, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 286.4 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 (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 146.8 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Alorton, 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 3.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 129.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 194.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Alorton, IL before the return drive.
