Berwyn, IL to Independence, IL is 268.4 miles and takes about 5h 11m via Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55, and I 72, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, covering ground entirely within Illinois. It's a straightforward, almost entirely highway route, making it a solid choice if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. With only one recommended stop and a duration under six hours, it's easily manageable as a single-day excursion. Consider this if your priority is covering distance with minimal fuss.
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
134.2 miles from Berwyn, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,743 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,333
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Berwyn, IL and Independence, 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 right at fork onto I 72; US 36
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 35Toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
11
Turn slight left onto US 54
5.3 mi·8 min·US 54
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto IL 106
404 ft·8 sec·East Washington Street
13
Turn right onto South Illinois Street
427 ft·24 sec·South Illinois Street
14
Turn left onto East Fayette Street
357 ft·17 sec·East Fayette Street
15
Turn right onto Piper Lane
0.4 mi·1 min·Piper Lane
16
Continue on County Highway 7
5.0 mi·12 min·County Highway 7
17
Turn right onto Road 900
259 ft·11 sec·Road 900
18
Arrive at destination
Road 900
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 11m drive time, starting in the morning is your best bet to arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one stop recommended and a low fuel cost of around $43, you likely won't need to plan extensive breaks. The longest stretch of highway is over 125 miles, so be mindful of your fuel gauge before embarking on that segment. If you decide to split the drive, the halfway point is roughly around Springfield, IL, which could be a good place to stretch your legs. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; departing later in the morning is also an option.
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 134.2 miles from Berwyn, IL, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.9 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 59 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.2 miles or 2h 35m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, 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 268.4 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 125.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 257.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Oak Park Avenue
Turn right onto Oak Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
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
6
194.7 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
6
257.2 mi into trip|~4h 47m in
Take the exit toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 35
Toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.61 one way
$83.23 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$45.63
$91.26
premium
$4.93
$52.07
$104.15
diesel
$5.60
$59.16
$118.33
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: 93.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.5
0
$28.18
$12.88
Efficient EV
67.1
0
$23.49
$10.74
EV Truck/SUV
107.4
1
$37.58
$17.18
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Sep 4, 2026
Origin
Berwyn, IL
Late night
in Berwyn on Saturday
Local time
12:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Independence, IL
Late night
in Independence on Saturday
Local time
12:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Bloomington, IL
134 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
1 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 11m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 98% of this 268.4-mile drive, with the longest continuous stretch covering 125.9 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. Expect a predominantly highway experience until you get closer to Independence, IL. The high percentage of highway driving means you'll encounter many exits and interchanges, especially early on. The transition to surface roads, when it happens, will be relatively brief.
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: 125.9 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Oak Park Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 268.4 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Oak Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
752 ft446 ft
Total Climb
682 ft
Total Descent
632 ft
Highest Point
752 ft
~115 mi in
Elevation Range
305 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 Independence, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 268.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m 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 125.9 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. 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 Independence, 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: near the start (Oak Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Independence, IL before the return drive.
