Origin
Cambridge, IL
Night in Cambridge on Sunday
Local time
11:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cambridge, IL to York, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 29m
Distance
268.3 mi
432 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 16m
★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 56m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 36m
3 PM
5h 40m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cambridge, IL
Wikimedia Commons
York, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Cambridge, IL to York, IL covers 268.3 miles and takes about 5h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 74, Chicago-Kansas City Expressway, South Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 114.5 miles on I 74. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.95 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
134.1 miles from Cambridge, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 74 | 114.5 mi | 2h 3m |
| Chicago-Kansas City Expressway | 62 mi | 1h 6m |
| South Main Street | 30.4 mi | 45m |
| Georgetown Road | 29.6 mi | 44m |
| I 474 | 13.8 mi | 14m |
| IL 81 | 7.4 mi | 11m |
| East 150th Road | 1.9 mi | 7m |
| North State Street | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 74
— 114.5 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge, IL and York, IL.
1
Start on North Prospect Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Prospect Street
2
Turn right onto IL 81
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Court Street
3
Turn right onto IL 81
460 ft
·
12 sec
·
South West Street
4
Turn left onto IL 81
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Center Street
5
Continue on IL 81
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
IL 81
6
Continue on IL 81
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
IL 81
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 74 East: Galesburg
8
Merge onto I 74; IL 110
62 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 474 East: Indianapolis
10
Merge onto I 474
14 mi
·
14 min
·
I 474
11
Merge onto I 74
27 mi
·
28 min
·
I 74
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
I 74
Toward I 55 South, I 74 East, US 51 South: Saint Louis, Indianapolis
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51
81 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
I 74; US 51
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward US 150, IL 1
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
16
Turn straight onto US 150; IL 1
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Georgetown Road
17
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North State Street
18
Continue on US 150; IL 1
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Georgetown Road
19
Continue on US 150; IL 1
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
1575 E US 36
20
Continue on US 150; IL 1
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Georgetown Road
21
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
IL Route 1
22
Turn right onto US 150; IL 1
512 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Elliot Street
23
Turn left onto US 150; IL 1
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Avenue
24
Continue on IL 1
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Vandalia Way
25
Turn straight onto IL 1
30 mi
·
45 min
·
South Main Street
26
Turn sharp left onto East 150th Road
1.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East 150th Road
27
Continue on West Broadway Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Street
28
Turn left onto North York Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North York Street
29
Arrive at destination
North York Street
Trip Plan
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 134.1 miles from Cambridge, IL, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.5 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 59 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.1 miles or 2h 28m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near York, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, IL
This is one driving day of about 268.3 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Cambridge, 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 74 for about 114.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.1 miles from Cambridge, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 74 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 114.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 8.2 and 200.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.2 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the ramp toward I 74 East: Galesburg
Navigation decision point
Toward I 74 East: Galesburg
6
112.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
I 74
Keep slight right at fork onto I 74 toward I 55 South, I 74 East, US 51 South: Saint Louis, Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, I 74 East, US 51 South: Sain...
8
118.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
I 74; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51 toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business N...
5
199.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
Take the exit toward US 150, IL 1
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 150, IL 1
7
200.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.95 one way
$83.89 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.05 | $92.11 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.63 | $103.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.24 | $118.47 |
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, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.5 | 0 | $28.17 | $12.88 |
| Efficient EV | 67.1 | 0 | $23.48 | $10.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.3 | 1 | $37.56 | $17.17 |
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.
Destination
York, IL
Night in York on Sunday
Local time
11:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live 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
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 29m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
268.3 mi in 5h 29m, mostly highway — 114.5 mi of that is on I 74.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.5 mi on I 74.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 74 and Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 268.3 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: at 8.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 112.4 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (I 74; US 51): 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cambridge, IL and York, IL, road signs point toward Indianapolis and Decatur.
Indianapolis
112.4 mi in
|
~2h 4m
|
via I 74
Decatur
118.9 mi in
|
~2h 11m
|
via I 74; US 51
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 29m. Total distance: 268.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.5 miles on I 74. 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 York, 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 8.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 112.4 miles (I 74): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at York, IL before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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