Chicago, IL to Shawneetown, IL is 320.1 miles and takes about 6h 40m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Illinois. You'll experience a mostly highway profile, making for a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day trip, this route is ideal for those looking for a direct connection between these two points without extensive detours.
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
160 miles from Chicago, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
195.9 mi
3h 35m
County Road 250 East
16.3 mi
25m
County Road 925 East
16.2 mi
24m
South Banker Street
14.9 mi
22m
County Road 1600E
11 mi
16m
County Road 1400 E
10.4 mi
15m
Locust Street
9.9 mi
14m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 195.9 mi, about 3h 35m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~816 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,091
Quietest
2 AM
~105 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Shawneetown, 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 left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 90, I 94 East: IndianaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 90; I 94
0.7 mi·47 sec·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
8.8 mi·11 min·Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 ExpressUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
196 mi·3 hr 35 min·I 57
Exit 63Toward I 57 South: MemphisUse the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 162Toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
12
Turn left onto US 45
1.9 mi·2 min·US 45
13
Turn right onto US 40; US 45; IL 33
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Fayette Avenue
14
Turn left onto US 45
15 mi·22 min·South Banker Street
15
Continue on US 45
16 mi·24 min·County Road 925 East
16
Turn slight left
135 ft·5 sec
17
Merge onto US 45; US 50
3.9 mi·4 min·US 45; US 50
18
Turn right onto US 45
10 mi·15 min·County Road 1400 E
19
Continue on US 45
0.9 mi·1 min·Central Street
20
Continue on US 45
1.4 mi·2 min·County Road 1800N
21
Turn straight onto US 45
4.6 mi·6 min·County Road 1600E
22
Continue on US 45
1.0 mi·1 min·Washington Street
23
Continue on US 45
6.4 mi·9 min·County Road 1600E
24
Turn right onto US 45
2.5 mi·3 min·South 1st Street
25
Continue on US 45
6.8 mi·10 min·County Road 1850 East
26
Continue on US 45
9.9 mi·14 min·Locust Street
27
Continue on US 45
1.1 mi·1 min·North 1st Street
28
Continue on US 45
7.4 mi·11 min·County Road 200 East
29
Continue on US 45
0.5 mi·46 sec·North Division Street
30
At end of road, turn right onto US 45
73 ft·6 sec·South Division Street
31
Continue on US 45
1.0 mi·1 min·South Division Street
32
Continue on IL 1
16 mi·25 min·County Road 250 East
33
Turn left onto IL 13
5.9 mi·8 min·IL 13
34
Arrive at destination
IL 13
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 40m estimated drive time, departing Chicago in the morning will allow you to reach Shawneetown with plenty of daylight. The route is designed for a single day, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. With only one recommended stop, you can decide whether to break up the drive with a brief pause or push through. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from I 57 to county roads; it's wise to fuel up before leaving the interstate for the final leg of your trip.
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 160 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.9 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 70 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160 miles or 2h 59m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shawneetown, 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 320.1 miles and 6h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 I 57 for about 195.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 206.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
9
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90, I 94 East: Indiana
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 90, I 94 East: Indiana
8
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
8
10.4 mi into trip|~15m in|I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
6
206.3 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 162
Toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.40 one way
$106.79 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$58.26
$116.52
premium
$5.25
$66.20
$132.40
diesel
$6.28
$79.09
$158.18
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: 112 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96
1
$33.61
$15.36
Efficient EV
80
0
$28.01
$12.80
EV Truck/SUV
128
1
$44.81
$20.49
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Chicago, IL
Night
in Chicago on Thursday
Local time
11:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Shawneetown, IL
Night
in Shawneetown on Thursday
Local time
11:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
S 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
46°F
Shelbyville, IL
160 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 68% of the route utilizing them. You'll experience a long stretch of 195.9 miles on I 57, offering consistent cruising. After this segment, you'll transition to county roads, introducing more varied driving conditions. Expect a noticeable shift from high-speed interstate travel to more rural road navigation as you approach your destination.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 195.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and County Road 250 East. 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 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 15 significant decision points across 320.1 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 1.6 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
794 ft401 ft
Total Climb
368 ft
Total Descent
555 ft
Highest Point
794 ft
~114.3 mi in
Elevation Range
393 ft
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 Shawneetown, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Effingham along the way.
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
•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
•Field Museum of Natural History — natural history museum in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 40m. Total distance: 320.1 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 195.9 miles on I 57. 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 Shawneetown, 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 0.4 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 1.6 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — 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 Shawneetown, IL before the return drive.
