Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Chicago, IL to Divernon, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 3m
Distance
214.1 mi
345 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 51m
★
6 AM
4h 4m
8 AM
4h 30m
10 AM
4h 13m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 29m
8 PM
3h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Divernon, IL
Zülfü Demir📸
Trip Overview
Chicago, IL to Divernon, IL is 214.1 miles and takes about 4h 3m via Adlai Stevenson Expressway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest and entirely within Illinois, making it a straightforward drive for those familiar with the region. The route is predominantly highway, suggesting a consistent pace for most of the way. With a single recommended stop and a duration under five hours, this is an easily manageable same-day trip.
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
107 miles from Chicago, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 128.7 mi | 2h 26m |
| I 55 | 77.1 mi | 1h 23m |
| Stevenson Expressway | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| East Brown Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Adlai E Stevenson Expressway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South State Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Halsted Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 128.7 mi, about 2h 26m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,689 veh/hr typical · worst 2,115
Quietest
2 AM
~152 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Chicago, IL and Divernon, IL.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Cermak Road
3
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Halsted Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
285 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
5
Turn slight right
110 ft
·
4 sec
6
Take the ramp
455 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East
7
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.
8
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.
9
Merge onto I 55
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 55
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
11
Continue on I 55
129 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward Divernon
15
Turn right onto East Brown Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
East Brown Street
16
Turn left onto South State Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
South State Street
17
Turn right onto West Dodds Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Dodds Street
18
Arrive at destination
West Dodds Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short drive time of just over 4 hours, you can leave Chicago anytime and still reach Divernon comfortably before dark. The route data indicates only one stop is recommended, and with a fuel cost estimate of $38, planning your refueling might be less critical than on longer trips. However, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 128.7-mile stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, as services can be more spread out on long highway segments. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight and allow for any unexpected delays.
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 107 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 47 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Divernon, 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 214.1 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Chicago, 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 128.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.7 miles.
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.
Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Dixie Trucker's Home
0.1 mi from route
Funks Grove Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Thorntons
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Greater Chicago Truck Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Hinsdale Oasis
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.8 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 136.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Cermak Road
At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
Navigation decision point
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Halsted Street
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
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
8
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
8
136.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.60 one way
$71.19 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $38.77 | $77.55 |
| premium | $5.18 | $43.69 | $87.38 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $45.10 | $90.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.48 | $10.28 |
| Efficient EV | 53.5 | 0 | $18.73 | $8.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.6 | 1 | $29.97 | $13.70 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Origin
Chicago, IL
Afternoon in Chicago on Wednesday
Local time
4:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
E 10 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 11:09AM CDT until June 2 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 30 at 10:05AM CDT until May 30 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Divernon, IL
Afternoon in Divernon on Wednesday
Local time
4:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
ESE 8 to 12 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 11:09AM CDT until June 2 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 30 at 10:05AM CDT until May 30 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
66°F
Empire, IL
107 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
3 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
4h 3m 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.
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
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 199.3
View on nps.gov
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
~27 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is nearly all highway, with 99% of the drive on expressways. You'll encounter 128.7 miles of continuous driving on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, which means you'll experience a high volume of exits and entrances for a significant portion of your travel. The transition from dense highway to surface roads will occur very late in your trip, near Divernon.
99% 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: 128.7 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Cermak Road.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 214.1 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 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Navigation decision point; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
782 ft
568 ft
Total Climb
355 ft
Total Descent
329 ft
Highest Point
782 ft
~122.3 mi in
Elevation Range
214 ft
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.
On the drive from Chicago, IL to Divernon, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
136.1 mi in
|
~2h 38m
|
via I 55
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 Divernon, 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 4h 3m. Total distance: 214.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.7 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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 Divernon, 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. There are 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Navigation decision point; 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.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Divernon, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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