If you are planning to travel from Clear Lake to Berwyn, you are looking at a straightforward 191.6-mile journey across Illinois. You can expect a drive time of approximately 3 hours and 38 minutes, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $29, the route is budget-friendly and efficient for travelers moving between these two Midwest locations. While the trip is manageable in one go, you should plan for at least one stop to break up the time behind the wheel. Because the route is highly focused on highway travel, it offers a reliable and predictable pace for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary detours.
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
95.8 miles from Clear Lake, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
185.3 mi
3h 25m
South Harlem Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
Riverside Drive
0.8 mi
1m
Old Route 36
0.7 mi
1m
I 72
0.3 mi
<1m
Oak Park Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
South Dixon Street
0.1 mi
<1m
West Houston Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 185.3 mi, about 3h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clear Lake, IL and Berwyn, IL.
1
Start on West Houston Street
491 ft·18 sec·West Houston Street
2
Turn right onto South Dixon Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·South Dixon Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Old Route 36
0.7 mi·1 min·Old Route 36
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
5
Merge onto I 72; US 36
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 72; US 36
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
7
Merge onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
127 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 283Toward IL 43: Harlem AvenueUse the right lane.
11
Turn left onto IL 43
2.9 mi·5 min·South Harlem Avenue
12
Turn right onto Riverside Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Riverside Drive
13
Turn slight left onto Oak Park Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Oak Park Avenue
14
Turn left onto West Cermak Road
91 ft·1 sec·West Cermak Road
15
Arrive at destination
West Cermak Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 191.6-mile trek, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, especially as you transition from the highway toward the Berwyn area. Since you only have one planned stop, use that time strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the final local road segments. Keep in mind that while the highway portion is long and uninterrupted, the pace will change significantly once you exit onto South Harlem Avenue. Flexibility is your best asset here, so check your navigation for any potential construction or congestion on I-55 before heading out. Budgeting roughly $29 for fuel should keep you covered, but always have a little extra set aside for standard road trip variables.
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 95.8 miles from Clear Lake, IL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 185.3 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 42 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.8 miles or 1h 46m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Berwyn, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clear Lake, 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 Clear Lake, IL
This is one driving day of about 191.6 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Clear Lake, 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 55 for about 185.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 187.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Dixon Street
Turn right onto South Dixon Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Old Route 36
At end of road, turn left onto Old Route 36
Navigation decision point
7
30.9 mi into trip|~35m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
60.3 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
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 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
187.3 mi into trip|~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward IL 43: Harlem Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 283
Toward IL 43: Harlem Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.95 one way
$59.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$32.89
$65.78
premium
$4.89
$36.87
$73.74
diesel
$5.61
$42.30
$84.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.5
0
$20.12
$9.20
Efficient EV
47.9
0
$16.76
$7.66
EV Truck/SUV
76.6
0
$26.82
$12.26
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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 12, 2026
Origin
Clear Lake, IL
Late night
in Clear Lake on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 23 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Berwyn, IL
Late night
in Berwyn on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 25 mph19% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 38m 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.
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...
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
Free
near mile 184.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its heavy reliance on major thoroughfares, with 97% of your travel taking place on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time—a 185.3-mile stretch—cruising along I-55, which dictates the primary rhythm of the drive. As you approach your destination, the character of the road shifts from the high-speed interstate to local navigation via South Harlem Avenue and Riverside Drive. Expect a largely interstate-focused experience that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads. It is a functional drive that stays consistent for nearly the entire duration until you reach the final local transit phase.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 185.3 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and South Harlem Avenue. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Dixon Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 191.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.1 miles (South Dixon Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Old Route 36): Navigation decision point; at 30.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
841 ft512 ft
Total Climb
416 ft
Total Descent
375 ft
Highest Point
841 ft
~68.4 mi in
Elevation Range
329 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 Clear Lake, IL to Berwyn, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 191.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 185.3 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Berwyn, 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 0.1 miles (South Dixon Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Old Route 36): Navigation decision point; at 30.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Berwyn, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
