Trip from Chicago, IL to Custer, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 26m

Distance

121.1 mi

195 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

2h 17m ★

6 AM

2h 27m

8 AM

2h 46m

10 AM

2h 33m

12 PM

2h 31m

3 PM

2h 34m

5 PM

2h 45m

8 PM

2h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Chicago, IL

Otoniel Alvarado

United States cavalry commander (1839–1876)

Custer, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 121.1-mile drive from Chicago, Illinois, to Custer, Illinois, will take you about 2 hours and 26 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey primarily utilizing I-80, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, and I-39. Given its relatively short distance and duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost is around $18, making it an economical option for exploring within the Midwest region. This trip offers a direct and efficient path from one Illinois point to another.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

60.5 miles from Chicago, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	47.2 mi	50m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	35.2 mi	45m
I 39	23.6 mi	25m
Stevenson Expressway	5.6 mi	7m
700 North Road	5.4 mi	8m
County Road 2500 East	0.5 mi	1m
Adlai E Stevenson Expressway	0.3 mi	<1m
West Cermak Road	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 47.2 mi, about 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Custer, IL.

Start on this road

0.2 mi · 1 min · this road

At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Cermak Road

Turn left onto South Halsted Street

0.1 mi · 17 sec · South Halsted Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue

285 ft · 5 sec · South Canalport Avenue

Turn slight right

110 ft · 4 sec

Take the ramp

455 ft · 11 sec

Toward I 90 East, I 94 East

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 53B Toward I 55 South: St Louis Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 55

5.6 mi · 7 min · Stevenson Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 55

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Adlai E Stevenson Expressway

Continue on I 55

35 mi · 45 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 250B Toward I 80 West: Iowa Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 80

47 mi · 50 min · I 80

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 79A Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington

Merge onto I 39; US 51

24 mi · 25 min · I 39; US 51

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward IL 17: Lacon, Wenona

Turn straight onto IL 17

5.4 mi · 8 min · 700 North Road

Turn right onto County Road 2500 East

0.5 mi · 1 min · County Road 2500 East

Arrive at destination

County Road 2500 East

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 26-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Chicago to take advantage of lighter traffic. Since it's a single-day trip of 121.1 miles, you have the flexibility to stop as needed without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 47.2-mile stretch on I-80, and plan a refueling stop before you get too low. The $18 fuel cost is a good baseline for budgeting, but always factor in potential price variations. Rest areas are available along the interstates for quick breaks.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 60.5 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 1h 17m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.2 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 27 miles or 37m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 60.5 miles or 1h 17m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Custer, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Chicago, 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 Chicago, IL

This is one driving day of about 121.1 miles and 2h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Chicago, IL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 47.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

village in Troy Township, Will County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Shorewood, IL

61 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

Romeoville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Morris, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.5 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · first break window

Topaz Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 21min in 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Expensive

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306541616

Visit website

Gio's Cafe And Deli

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago, Illinois

0.6 mi

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Burr Ridge, Illinois

0.5 mi

Best coffee break

Cafe Jumping Bean

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13124550019

Visit website

Skydive Chicago

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ottawa, Illinois

2.1 mi

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Plainfield, Illinois

1.9 mi

Topaz Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Expensive

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16306541616

Visit website

Gio's Cafe And Deli

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9:30 pm

+13122256368

Visit website

Capri Ristorante

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Burr Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+16304554003

Visit website

Taipei Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13123741986

Visit website

Kristoffer's Cafe & Bakery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+13128294150

Visit website

Han 202 Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13129491314

Visit website

Sunfield Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Ottawa, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18154345500

Visit website

Triple Crown Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13128420088

Visit website

Cafe Jumping Bean

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13124550019

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Ottawa, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Ottawa, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+18153135683

Visit website

Open Space Art Gallery & Studios

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ottawa, Illinois

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18152937099

Visit website

Sweet Bean Gelato & Intelligentsia Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ottawa, Illinois

2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2.1 mi from route

Carrico's Claudettes

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Oglesby, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+18158837075

Visit website

Misfits

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Ottawa, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+18153135287

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Dock Rotz Tavern

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Minooka, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18154672200

Visit website

International Museum of Surgical Science, A Division of the International College of Surgeons

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+13126426502

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 90.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | South Halsted Street

Turn left onto South Halsted Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive

1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: St Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 53B Toward I 55 South: St Louis

42.7 mi into trip | ~57m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 250B Toward I 80 West: Iowa

90.7 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in

Take the exit toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 79A Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomin...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.93 one way

$37.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$20.79	$41.57
premium	$4.89	$23.30	$46.61
diesel	$5.61	$26.74	$53.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	36.3	$12.72	$5.81
Efficient EV	30.3	$10.60	$4.84
EV Truck/SUV	48.4	$16.95	$7.75

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 20, 2026

Origin

Chicago, IL

Morning in Chicago on Tuesday

Local time

10:18 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Custer, IL

Morning in Custer on Tuesday

Local time

10:18 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°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

12 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

2h 26m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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.

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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 ~26 min detour Free near mile 4.2

Caution: Road Construction Near the Park

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 92% of the drive taking place on major interstates. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 47.2 miles on I-80, offering a consistent pace. The Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-39 contribute to the overall highway-focused profile, meaning you'll largely be in a fast-paced driving environment. This character suggests a journey where efficiency and directness are prioritized over winding backroads or frequent scenic detours.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 47.2 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near South Halsted Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 121.1 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 0.4 miles (South Halsted Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Chicago, IL and Custer, IL, road signs point toward Bloomington and Wenona.

Bloomington

90.7 mi in | ~1h 49m

Wenona

114.8 mi in | ~2h 15m

About the Cities

Starting in Chicago, IL

Full guide →

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

Arriving in Custer, IL

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 121.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 47.2 miles on I 80. 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.

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 Custer, 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. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Custer, IL before heading back.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Chicago, IL to Custer, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Topaz Café

Cafe Jumping Bean

Topaz Café

Gio's Cafe And Deli

Capri Ristorante

Taipei Cafe

Kristoffer's Cafe & Bakery

Han 202 Restaurant

Sunfield Restaurant

Triple Crown Restaurant

Cafe Jumping Bean

Skydive Chicago

Ten Drops Coffee

Kafé De Kasa

Jeremiah Joe Coffee - Downtown Ottawa

More

Open Space Art Gallery & Studios

Sweet Bean Gelato & Intelligentsia Coffee Shop

Service Plaza

TA

Road Ranger

Pilot Travel Center

Three Rivers Rest Area (Eastbound)

Three Rivers Rest Area (Westbound)

Thorntons

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Greater Chicago Truck Plaza

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Hinsdale Oasis

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Carrico's Claudettes

Misfits

Prairie Trail Park

Dock Rotz Tavern

International Museum of Surgical Science, A Division of the International College of Surgeons

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Chicago, IL

Custer, IL

Same local time

12 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 26m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Pullman National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Chicago, IL

Arriving in Custer, IL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?