If you are planning a trip from Campton to Chicago, prepare for a 339.8-mile journey that takes approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes to complete. Because this route relies entirely on local roads like State Street, East Holmes Street, and Lehmen Drive, you should expect a slower, more deliberate pace than a typical interstate haul. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, though the turn-heavy nature of the drive means you will want to stay alert. Budget about $50 for fuel to cover the distance across this stretch of the Midwest. Since you will be navigating local streets for the entire duration, this path is best suited for drivers who prefer a hands-on experience rather than a quick, highway-speed transit.
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
169.9 miles from Campton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
271.4 mi
4h 59m
IL 159
20.1 mi
30m
South State Street
17.7 mi
22m
North Illinois Street
9.8 mi
15m
Lehmen Drive
7.8 mi
8m
Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi
4m
Vandalia Street
2.8 mi
4m
State Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 271.4 mi, about 4h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Campton, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on Welge Drive
0.1 mi·27 sec·Welge Drive
2
Turn left onto IL 150
1.4 mi·2 min·State Street
3
Turn right onto IL 3
0.5 mi·32 sec·East Holmes Street
4
Continue on IL 3
7.8 mi·8 min·Lehmen Drive
5
Continue on IL 3
18 mi·22 min·South State Street
6
Continue on IL 159
20 mi·30 min·IL 159
7
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
177 ft·4 sec·North Illinois Street
8
Continue on IL 159
9.8 mi·15 min·North Illinois Street
9
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
10
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
12
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
13
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
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
130 mi·2 hr 27 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi·4 min·Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 290Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward Damen AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft·12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen AvenueUse the left lane.
20
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·South Damen Avenue
21
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Blue Island Avenue
22
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West Cermak Road
23
Turn right
152 ft·11 sec
24
Turn right
0.2 mi·58 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 6 hour and 40 minute drive without any highway segments, plan to leave early in the morning to avoid fatigue from the frequent turns. You will only have one planned stop during the trip, so use that time wisely to stretch and refuel for your $50 budget. Because the route is composed of local roads like Lehmen Drive, navigation can be tricky; keep your GPS running to ensure you don't miss any critical turns. Flexibility is a major advantage on a route like this, so feel free to adjust your pace if local traffic or weather conditions change. Most importantly, stay patient with the stop-and-go nature of the local streets, as this is the only way to reach Chicago on this specific path.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.9 miles from Campton, IL, or about 3h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 271.4 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 75 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.9 miles or 3h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chicago, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Campton, 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 Campton, IL
This is one driving day of about 339.8 miles and 6h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Campton, 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 271.4 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 173.6 and 337.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
173.6 mi into trip|~3h 29m 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
203 mi into trip|~4h 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
337 mi into trip|~6h 33m in
Take the exit toward Damen Avenue, Ashland 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 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
8
337.1 mi into trip|~6h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Damen Avenue
9
337.4 mi into trip|~6h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.12 one way
$106.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$58.33
$116.66
premium
$4.89
$65.39
$130.78
diesel
$5.61
$75.02
$150.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.9
1
$35.68
$16.31
Efficient EV
85
0
$29.73
$13.59
EV Truck/SUV
135.9
1
$47.57
$21.75
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Campton, IL
Night
in Campton on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chicago, IL
Night
in Chicago on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 15 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 1:54AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 1:33AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
78°F
Springfield, IL
170 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
10 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
6h 40m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 140.6
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 339.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical and turn-heavy experience behind the wheel, as this route features 0% highway driving. You won't find any long, monotonous stretches here; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on State Street, meaning your hands will stay busy on the steering wheel. The journey requires constant focus as you transition between local roads, offering a very different feel from the standard Midwest interstate grind. Because you are avoiding highways entirely, the character of the road remains consistent and local throughout the entire 339.8-mile duration. Be prepared for a drive that demands your full attention rather than one where you can set the cruise control and relax.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 271.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 159. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 173.6 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 14 significant decision points across 339.8 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 173.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 203 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 337 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Campton, IL and Chicago, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Chicago is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. "Stormy, Husky, Brawling / City of Big Shoulders," Chicago is a Heartland boomtown, its ethos defined by urban planner Daniel Burnham's immortal vision: "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." It is one of the world's great cities and the third largest city in the United States, behind only New York City and Los Angeles.
As the hub of the Midwest, Chicago is easy to find — its picturesque skyline calls across the waters of Lake Michigan, a first impression that soon reveals world-class museums of art and science, miles of sandy beaches, huge parks and public art, and perhaps the finest downtown collection of modern architecture in the world.
Top landmarks
•Willis Tower — skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois
•Art Institute of Chicago — art museum and school in Chicago, United States
•Wrigley Field — baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, USA; home venue of the Chicago Cubs
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 40m. Total distance: 339.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 271.4 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 Chicago, 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 173.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 203 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 337 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chicago, IL before the return drive.
