Cherry Valley, IL to York, IL is 279.6 miles and takes about 5h 38m via I 39 and I 74, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on interstate highways. Given the relatively short duration and distance, it's easily achievable as a single-day trip, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B without needing an overnight stay.
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
139.8 miles from Cherry Valley, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 39
121.2 mi
2h 10m
I 74
80.9 mi
1h 27m
South Main Street
30.4 mi
45m
Georgetown Road
29.6 mi
44m
US 51
7.6 mi
8m
East 150th Road
1.9 mi
7m
North State Street
1.9 mi
2m
North Central Avenue
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 39
— 121.2 mi, about 2h 10m
Traffic on I-39
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~990 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,284
Quietest
1 AM
~98 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 50 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 Cherry Valley, IL and York, IL.
1
Start on East State Street
0.4 mi·37 sec·East State Street
2
Turn right onto Mill Road
0.2 mi·27 sec·Mill Road
3
Turn left onto US 20
0.4 mi·43 sec·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4
Continue on US 20
0.1 mi·9 sec·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
5
Continue on Harrison Avenue
412 ft·6 sec·Harrison Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
7
Merge onto I 39; US 20; US 51
1.8 mi·1 min·I 39; US 20; US 51
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 39; US 51
119 mi·2 hr 8 min·I 39; US 51
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51
7.6 mi·8 min·US 51
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
10
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, DecaturUse the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 150, IL 1
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
13
Turn straight onto US 150; IL 1
14 mi·20 min·Georgetown Road
14
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.9 mi·2 min·North State Street
15
Continue on US 150; IL 1
6.1 mi·9 min·Georgetown Road
16
Continue on US 150; IL 1
0.3 mi·28 sec·1575 E US 36
17
Continue on US 150; IL 1
10 mi·14 min·Georgetown Road
18
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.4 mi·3 min·IL Route 1
19
Turn right onto US 150; IL 1
512 ft·8 sec·West Elliot Street
20
Turn left onto US 150; IL 1
1.7 mi·2 min·North Central Avenue
21
Continue on IL 1
0.1 mi·11 sec·Vandalia Way
22
Turn straight onto IL 1
30 mi·45 min·South Main Street
23
Turn sharp left onto East 150th Road
1.9 mi·7 min·East 150th Road
24
Continue on West Broadway Street
0.2 mi·1 min·West Broadway Street
25
Turn left onto North York Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·North York Street
26
Arrive at destination
North York Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $44, you can plan your stops efficiently. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is over 121 miles on I 39, so ensure you're fueled up before heading into that segment. This route is well-suited for a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could incorporate a brief stop in a town along I 74. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach York, IL.
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 139.8 miles from Cherry Valley, IL, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.2 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 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.8 miles or 2h 31m 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 16m
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 Cherry Valley, 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 Cherry Valley, IL
This is one driving day of about 279.6 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Cherry Valley, 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 39 for about 121.2 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 122.7 and 277.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
122.7 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champai...
8
130.3 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
211.2 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
211.4 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
5
277.3 mi into trip|~5h 29m in|East 150th Road
Turn sharp left onto East 150th Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.29 one way
$82.58 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$45.58
$91.17
premium
$4.72
$51.91
$103.83
diesel
$4.80
$52.79
$105.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.9
1
$29.36
$13.42
Efficient EV
69.9
0
$24.47
$11.18
EV Truck/SUV
111.8
1
$39.14
$17.89
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 18, 2026
Origin
Cherry Valley, IL
Afternoon
in Cherry Valley on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
York, IL
Afternoon
in York on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 5 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
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 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 38m 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?
This drive is mostly highway, with 76% of the 279.6 miles on interstates like I 39 and I 74. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 121.2 miles on I 39, offering extended periods of consistent speed. The transition to surface roads will occur around mile 213 of the total trip, where you'll transition to South Main Street. Expect a typical interstate driving experience with a moderate number of exits.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 121.2 mi on I 39.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 39 and I 74. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 122.7 miles in near US 51.
Driving Effort5/10
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 279.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 122.7 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.3 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
892 ft451 ft
Total Climb
317 ft
Total Descent
593 ft
Highest Point
892 ft
~39.9 mi in
Elevation Range
441 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cherry Valley, IL and York, IL, road signs point toward Champaign, Saint Louis and Decatur.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 38m. Total distance: 279.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121.2 miles on I 39. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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.
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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 122.7 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.3 miles (I 74; US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 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.
