East Alton to Arlington Heights is 287.1 miles and takes about 5h 32m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving through the Midwest region. The route is mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Expect a practical, no-frills drive focused on covering the distance efficiently. It's a good choice if you want to get from point A to point B without a lot of 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
143.6 miles from East Alton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
238.5 mi
4h 19m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi
24m
State Route 140
9.7 mi
13m
I 290
5.6 mi
6m
IL 53
2.7 mi
3m
Euclid Avenue
2.5 mi
5m
West Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
East Airline Drive
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 238.5 mi, about 4h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Alton, IL and Arlington Heights, IL.
1
Start on North Pence Street
0.2 mi·54 sec·North Pence Street
2
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
3
Turn slight right onto Berkshire Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Berkshire Boulevard
4
Continue on West Airline Court
0.6 mi·1 min·West Airline Court
5
Continue on East Airline Drive
1.3 mi·3 min·East Airline Drive
6
Turn left onto IL 111
0.9 mi·1 min·North Bellwood Drive
7
Turn right onto IL 140
1.8 mi·3 min·West Bethalto Drive
8
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
9
Continue on IL 140
0.8 mi·1 min·West State Street
10
Continue on IL 140
443 ft·13 sec·State Route 140
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
12
Merge onto I 55
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 55
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 269Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest SuburbsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
17
Merge onto I 355
19 mi·24 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 290
5.6 mi·6 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
2.7 mi·3 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit CourtUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn slight right onto Euclid Avenue
2.5 mi·5 min·Euclid Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
East Euclid Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5.5-hour drive, consider leaving in the morning to make the most of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch on I 55 is substantial, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you get too far into that segment. The estimated fuel cost is around $45, so budget for that. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your departure time based on traffic or your schedule.
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 143.6 miles from East Alton, IL, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 238.5 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 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.6 miles or 2h 45m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington Heights, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving East Alton, 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 East Alton, IL
This is one driving day of about 287.1 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from East Alton, 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 238.5 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 113.2 and 284.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
113.2 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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
142.6 mi into trip|~2h 44m 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
255.1 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
281.6 mi into trip|~5h 22m 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.
7
284.3 mi into trip|~5h 26m in
Take the exit toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit Court
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 East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circ...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.88 one way
$89.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$49.28
$98.56
premium
$4.89
$55.25
$110.50
diesel
$5.61
$63.39
$126.78
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: 100.5 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
86.1
1
$30.15
$13.78
Efficient EV
71.8
0
$25.12
$11.48
EV Truck/SUV
114.8
1
$40.19
$18.37
Gas CO2
100 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 15, 2026
Origin
East Alton, IL
Morning
in East Alton on Sunday
Local time
6:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington Heights, IL
Morning
in Arlington Heights on Sunday
Local time
6:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
5h 32m 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
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 79.2
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 257.4
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 89% of the 287.1 miles covered on them. You'll experience a long stretch of 238.5 miles on I 55, which means plenty of uninterrupted cruising. After that, expect a shift to surface roads for the final 48.6 miles. With a mostly highway profile, you'll likely notice a steady stream of exits and interchanges as you approach your destination.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 238.5 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 113.2 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 13 significant decision points across 287.1 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 113.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 East Alton, IL and Arlington Heights, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
Peoria
142.6 mi in|~2h 44m|via I 55
Southwest Suburbs
255.1 mi in|~4h 48m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 32m. Total distance: 287.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 238.5 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.
Yes — we found about 29 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 Arlington Heights, 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 113.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Arlington Heights, IL before the return drive.
