Origin
Decatur, IL
Late night in Decatur on Sunday
Local time
5:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Decatur, IL to Chatham, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 1m
Distance
50.2 mi
81 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Good
6 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 56m
★
6 AM
1h 1m
8 AM
1h 11m
10 AM
1h 5m
12 PM
1h 4m
3 PM
1h 5m
5 PM
1h 11m
8 PM
0h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Decatur, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Chatham, IL
Quang Vuong
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Illinois Midwest, the 50.2-mile journey from Decatur to Chatham is a straightforward trip that typically takes just over an hour. You will navigate primarily via West Eldorado Street, I-72, and North Main Street to reach your destination. Given the short duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Budgeting around $8 for fuel covers the trip comfortably, keeping costs low for your travel plans. Since both cities are located within the same region, you can expect a consistent atmosphere throughout the drive. It is a practical, no-fuss connection that gets you where you need to go without any necessary stops.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Eldorado Street | 35.8 mi | 40m |
| I 72 | 8.6 mi | 10m |
| North Main Street | 3 mi | 5m |
| South Veterans Parkway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| South Franklin Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Wood Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
West Eldorado Street
— 35.8 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, IL and Chatham, IL.
1
Start on East Wood Street
507 ft
·
23 sec
·
East Wood Street
2
Turn left onto US 51 Business
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Franklin Street
3
Turn left onto US 36
36 mi
·
40 min
·
West Eldorado Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jacksonville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
Toward IL 4: Springfield, Chatham
7
Keep slight left at fork
265 ft
·
8 sec
8
Turn left onto IL 4
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
South Veterans Parkway
9
Continue on IL 4
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Veterans Parkway
10
Continue on IL 4
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Arrive at destination
IL 4
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.1 miles from Decatur, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 45.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 36 / West Eldorado Street
Turn left onto US 36 / West Eldorado Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
36.2 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 72; US 36
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36 toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jacksonville
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.
Toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jack...
6
41.5 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
5
44.9 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward IL 4: Springfield, Chatham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 4: Springfield, Chatham
4
45.4 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.85 one way
$15.70 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.62 | $17.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.66 | $19.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.08 | $22.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.27 | $2.41 |
| Efficient EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.39 | $2.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.03 | $3.21 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Chatham, IL
Late night in Chatham on Sunday
Local time
5:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
W 10 to 14 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
54°F
Riverton, IL
25 mi in
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
7 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
1h 1m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 21% of this 50.2-mile trek is spent on the highway, so you will spend the majority of your time navigating local surface streets. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 35.8 miles along West Eldorado Street, which serves as the primary backbone of the journey. The transition between fast-paced highway segments and technical local maneuvering keeps the experience varied. You will find that the road's personality leans more toward a practical commute than a leisurely scenic cruise, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.8 mi on West Eldorado Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near US 36 / West Eldorado Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 50.2 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.5 miles (US 36 / West Eldorado Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.2 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.5 miles (I 72; US 36): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
678 ft
662 ft
Total Climb
0 ft
Total Descent
16 ft
Highest Point
678 ft
Elevation Range
16 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 Decatur, IL to Chatham, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Jacksonville along the way.
Jacksonville
36.2 mi in
|
~41m
|
via I 72; US 36
About the Cities
Starting in Decatur, IL
Full guide →Founded 1823
Decatur is a city in Macon county, Illinois. There are many examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's influence on the Prairie Style Architecture in Decatur.
Top landmarks
- • Decatur Downtown Historic District — historic district in Decatur, Illinois
- • Decatur Historic District — historic district in Decatur, Illinois
- • Wabash Railroad Station and Railway Express Agency — railway station in Decatur, Illinois, United States
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 1h 1m. Total distance: 50.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (21%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.8 miles on West Eldorado Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 36 / West Eldorado Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.2 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.5 miles (I 72; US 36): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Chatham, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Chatham, IL
More trips to Chatham, IL
Explore more options from Decatur, IL or browse trips ending in Chatham, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.