Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Chicago, IL to Stockton, IL

Pin this trip

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

Drive Time

2h 56m

Distance

137.5 mi

221 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 46m ★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown chicago-il

Chicago, IL

Otoniel Alvarado

city in Illinois

Stockton, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are looking to trade the urban sprawl of Chicago for the quieter pace of Stockton, this 137.5-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Illinois. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 56 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. Since the route avoids highways entirely, you will navigate through local streets like West Cermak Road, South Halsted Street, and South Canalport Avenue. Budgeting around $20 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Because both cities reside in the Midwest, the transition between regions is subtle, allowing you to focus on the road ahead rather than major environmental shifts. It is an ideal weekend escape if you prefer a steady, local pace over the intensity of high-speed interstate travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

68.8 miles from Chicago, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway 59.4 mi 1h 3m
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway 44.1 mi 54m
Kennedy Expressway 7.9 mi 11m
South Galena Avenue 7.3 mi 13m
US 20 Business 3.6 mi 5m
West Higgins Road 3.1 mi 5m
I 39 2.6 mi 2m
West Bryn Mawr Avenue 1.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Jane Addams Memorial Tollway — 59.4 mi, about 1h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Stockton, 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

0.2 mi · 22 sec · South Canalport Avenue
5

Turn left onto South Ruble Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · South Ruble Street
Use the left lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 90 West, I 94 West
7

Merge onto I 90; I 94

0.9 mi · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 90; I 94

7.9 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 43C Toward Montrose Avenue Use the slight right lane.
10

Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Montrose Avenue
11

Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
12

Turn left onto North Northwest Highway

67 ft · 1 sec · North Northwest Highway
13

Continue on North Northwest Highway

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Northwest Highway
14

Turn slight left onto West Bryn Mawr Avenue

1.8 mi · 4 min · West Bryn Mawr Avenue
Use the left lane.
15

Continue on IL 72

3.1 mi · 5 min · West Higgins Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 90 Toll West
17

Merge onto I 90

59 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
19

Merge onto I 39; US 51

0.5 mi · 30 sec · I 39; US 51
20

Continue on I 39; US 20; US 51

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 39; US 20; US 51
21

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20

30 mi · 34 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
22

Take the exit onto US 20 Business

3.6 mi · 5 min · US 20 Business
Toward US 20 BUS: Freeport
23

Turn slight right onto US 20 Business

7.3 mi · 13 min · South Galena Avenue
24

Turn left onto US 20

14 mi · 19 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
25

Continue on US 20; IL 78

1.3 mi · 2 min · East North Avenue
26

Turn left onto IL 78

0.5 mi · 45 sec · North Main Street
27

Arrive at destination

IL 78

Trip Plan

Planning your departure is simple since the 2-hour and 56-minute duration offers plenty of flexibility for a one-day excursion. Given the turn-heavy nature of this route, you may find it helpful to map out your navigation in advance to avoid confusion on local streets. With only one planned stop needed, you have the freedom to pick a spot that fits your personal schedule and comfort level. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the drive, as the $20 estimate assumes a steady pace on local roads. Since you are staying off the highways, take advantage of the slower speed limits to enjoy a more relaxed pace than you would find on a standard interstate commute.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.8 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.4 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 30 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 68.8 miles or 1h 26m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stockton, 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 137.5 miles and 2h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 59.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Belvidere, IL

69 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

Rolling Meadows, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Belvidere, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68.8 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

Han 202 Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13129491314

Visit website

Triple Crown Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Chicago, Illinois

1 mi

New Furama Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Chicago, Illinois

1.1 mi

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

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

New Furama Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+13122256888

Visit website

Bereket Turkish Mediterranean restaurant (Halal Certified)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+13125003663

Visit website

Hana Dragon Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13122268117

Visit website

Arturo Express Restaurant and Catering

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13124749289

Visit website

Himalayan Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–2:15 pm

+13128775999

Visit website

Kids Art & Play Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv

Schaumburg, Illinois

Hours: Closed

+16305231101

Visit website

Bombastic Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Nube's Ice Cream & Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour Inexpensiv

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+17733580857

PD Coffee Shop

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Chicago, Illinois

Midway Village Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3 mi from route ~7 min detour

Rockford, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18153979112

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 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 9.9 — 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.
6
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | South Ruble Street

Turn left onto South Ruble Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
1.1 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway

Merge onto I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
9.9 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward Montrose Avenue

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 43C Toward Montrose Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.50 one way

$42.99 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.60 $47.20
premium $4.89 $26.46 $52.92
diesel $5.61 $30.36 $60.72

Estimated Tolls: $4.16

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (59.4 mi) $4.16

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Tolls

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.3 0 $14.44 $6.60
Efficient EV 34.4 0 $12.03 $5.50
EV Truck/SUV 55 0 $19.25 $8.80

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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 18, 2026

Origin

Chicago, IL

Morning in Chicago on Tuesday

Local time

7:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

WSW 15 mph 98% chance Live 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

Destination

Stockton, IL

Morning in Stockton on Tuesday

Local time

7:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°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

16 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

2h 56m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention from start to finish. Unlike a monotonous highway cruise, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will be navigating city streets and local roads for the entirety of the 137.5-mile distance. The road's personality is defined by its technical nature rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of asphalt. You should anticipate a consistent rhythm of maneuvering through intersections and local thoroughfares as you transition away from the city. This experience offers a hands-on driving feel that keeps you engaged with the local geography as you make your way toward Stockton.

Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.4 mi on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 137.5 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 (South Ruble Street): Lane positioning matters here.

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

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 56m. Total distance: 137.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 59.4 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $4.16 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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 Stockton, 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 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (South Halsted Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (South Ruble Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Stockton, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Stockton, IL

Champaign, IL 232.2 mi · 4h 21m Guilford, IL 24.5 mi · 41m

More from Chicago, IL

Burton, IL 313.7 mi · 5h 57m Quincy, IL 309.6 mi · 5h 53m Adams, IL 299.3 mi · 5h 54m Alorton, IL 292.7 mi · 5h 30m Saint Rose, IL 286 mi · 5h 26m Barry, IL 279.4 mi · 5h 13m
Escape planner: Chicago, IL Scenic drives in IL

Explore more options from Chicago, IL or browse trips ending in Stockton, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.