This 288.1-mile journey from Collinsville, IL, to Palatine, IL, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 24 minutes. You'll spend about 91% of your time on highways, making it a straightforward drive. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $45. Given the relatively short duration and highway focus, this route is best tackled as a day trip rather than splitting it into multiple days. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region for the entire drive, staying within Illinois.
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
144 miles from Collinsville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
253.5 mi
4h 35m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi
24m
I 290
5.6 mi
6m
Vandalia Street
2.8 mi
4m
IL 53
2.2 mi
2m
Hicks Road
1.5 mi
3m
East Northwest Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
Kirchoff Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 253.5 mi, about 4h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Collinsville, IL and Palatine, IL.
1
Start on this road
132 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto East Grove Avenue
59 ft·5 sec·East Grove Avenue
3
Turn right onto IL 159
0.1 mi·14 sec·South Morrison Avenue
4
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
6
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
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
112 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 269Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest SuburbsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
12
Merge onto I 355
19 mi·24 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 290
5.6 mi·6 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
2.2 mi·2 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward Kirchoff RoadUse the right lane.
16
Turn left onto Kirchoff Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Kirchoff Road
17
Turn right onto West Frontage Road
400 ft·8 sec·West Frontage Road
18
Continue on Hicks Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Hicks Road
19
Turn left onto US 14
0.3 mi·54 sec·East Northwest Highway
20
Turn left onto East Palatine Road
73 ft·1 sec·East Palatine Road
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
East Palatine Road
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 24-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area. With a longest stretch of 253.5 miles on I-55, plan for one primary fuel and rest stop midway through your journey. The $45 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a small buffer. Since this is a manageable day trip, you have flexibility in your stop timing, but be aware of toll roads on the latter half of the route.
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 144 miles from Collinsville, IL, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 253.5 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 63 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144 miles or 2h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palatine, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Collinsville, 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 Collinsville, IL
This is one driving day of about 288.1 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Collinsville, 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 253.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.2 and 283.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.2 mi into trip|~10m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
7
115 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
144.4 mi into trip|~2h 38m 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
8
256.9 mi into trip|~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest...
6
283.4 mi into trip|~5h 16m in|IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.04 one way
$90.08 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$49.45
$98.91
premium
$4.89
$55.44
$110.88
diesel
$5.61
$63.61
$127.22
Estimated Tolls: $1.35
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.2 mi)$1.35
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
$45
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.4
1
$30.25
$13.83
Efficient EV
72
0
$25.21
$11.52
EV Truck/SUV
115.2
1
$40.33
$18.44
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Collinsville, IL
Night
in Collinsville on Saturday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Palatine, IL
Night
in Palatine on Saturday
Local time
11:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:30AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:30AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
52°F
Bloomington, IL
144 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
12 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
5h 24m 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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 89.4
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 258.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 288.1-mile trip. With 91% of the route on interstates and tollways, including I-55, Veterans Memorial Tollway, and I-290, you'll experience a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 253.5 miles on I-55, allowing for extended periods of steady driving. This profile suggests a predominantly efficient and direct transit rather than a winding, scenic exploration.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 253.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Veterans Memorial Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.2 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 288.1 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 7.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Collinsville, IL and Palatine, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 288.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 253.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.35 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans 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.
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 Palatine, 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 7.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.4 miles (I 55): 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Palatine, IL before the return drive.
