Main Line Station Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Effingham, IL to Palatine, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
232.8 mi
375 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 27m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 36m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 52m
8 PM
4h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Effingham, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Palatine, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Effingham, IL to Palatine, IL is 232.8 miles and takes about 4h 26m via I 57 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. You'll be spending most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. It's a convenient route if you're looking for a direct path between these two Illinois cities. Plan for a solid few hours on the road, but it's definitely manageable in a single day.
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
116.4 miles from Effingham, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 186.3 mi | 3h 22m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 22.9 mi | 28m |
| I 290 | 13.4 mi | 17m |
| IL 53 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| South 3rd Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Hicks Road | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| East Northwest Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Kirchoff Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 186.3 mi, about 3h 22m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~783 veh/hr typical
Quietest
3 AM
~77 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 5 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Effingham, IL and Palatine, IL.
1
Start on South 5th Street
19 ft
·
5 sec
·
South 5th Street
2
Turn left onto US 40; US 45; IL 33
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
West Fayette Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 45
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South 3rd Street
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
5
Merge onto I 57; I 70
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
I 57; I 70
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
185 mi
·
3 hr 21 min
·
I 57
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi
·
3 min
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Merge onto I 294
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto I 294
321 ft
·
7 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 290 West: Rockford
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Saint Charles Road West
15
Merge onto I 290
13 mi
·
17 min
·
I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward Kirchoff Road
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto Kirchoff Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Kirchoff Road
19
Turn right onto West Frontage Road
400 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Frontage Road
20
Continue on Hicks Road
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Hicks Road
21
Turn left onto US 14
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
East Northwest Highway
22
Turn left onto East Palatine Road
73 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Palatine Road
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
East Palatine Road
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 26m drive, consider leaving Effingham in the morning to avoid any potential afternoon traffic as you get closer to Palatine. Since the drive is under 5 hours and you'll have about $41 for fuel, stopping once for gas and a quick break should be sufficient. The longest stretch of 186.3 miles on I 57 means you can settle in for a while, but be ready for increased traffic density as you near your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you enter the more congested areas around Chicago.
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 116.4 miles from Effingham, IL, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.3 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 51 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.4 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 30m
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 Effingham, 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 Effingham, IL
This is one driving day of about 232.8 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Effingham, 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 57 for about 186.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 116.4 miles from Effingham, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.3 miles.
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.
Illini Prairie Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Hinsdale Oasis
0 mi from route
Main Line Station Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Illini Prairie Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Prairie View Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Prairie View Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Green Creek Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Green Creek Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Peotone Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
AF Truck Center
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
TA
1.5 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.6 mi from route
Truckomat Truck Wash - Effingham
1.6 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.7 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.9 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 212.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
8
188.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
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 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevar...
8
188.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
8
212.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
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 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Roc...
7
212.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwa...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.38 one way
$68.76 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $37.95 | $75.91 |
| premium | $4.72 | $43.22 | $86.45 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $43.96 | $87.91 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.37
Tri-state Tollway
(22.9 mi)
$1.37
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
$34
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.44 | $11.17 |
| Efficient EV | 58.2 | 0 | $20.37 | $9.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.1 | 1 | $32.59 | $14.90 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Effingham, IL
Afternoon in Effingham on Sunday
Local time
12:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 12 mph
17% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Palatine, IL
Afternoon in Palatine on Sunday
Local time
12:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 10 to 15 mph
51% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
85°F
Shelby, IN
116 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
2 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
4h 26m 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.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 192.7
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 87% of the 232.8 miles on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 186.3 miles on I 57, indicating a long period of consistent cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur near the end of your trip. Expect a high volume of exits and potential for urban merging as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.3 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near I 57.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 232.8 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 3.1 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
748 ft
597 ft
Total Climb
410 ft
Total Descent
266 ft
Highest Point
748 ft
~99.8 mi in
Elevation Range
152 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.
Between Effingham, IL and Palatine, IL, road signs point toward Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Chicago and Saint Charles Road West.
Wisconsin
188.6 mi in
|
~3h 26m
Milwaukee
212.7 mi in
|
~3h 56m
|
via I 294
Chicago
212.7 mi in
|
~3h 56m
|
via I 294
Saint Charles Road West
214.4 mi in
|
~4h
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Joe Sippers Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Effingham, IL
Cuisine: coffee_shop;sandwich;american;tea;pastry;soup
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-19:00; Sa 07:00-19:00
Visit websiteWandering Whistler Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Effingham, IL
Hours: Tu-Fr 16:00-23:00; Sa,Su 12:00-23:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Bourbonnais, IL
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Bradley, IL
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteConscious Cup Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Palatine, IL
Visit websiteThe Human Bean
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Effingham, IL
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 05:30-18:00
Visit websiteTaqueria Don Pedro
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Effingham, Il
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00
Visit websiteJoe's Pizza & Pasta
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Effingham, IL
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Tu-Fr 11:00-21:00; Sa,Su 16:00-21:00
Visit websiteHardee's
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Tuscola, IL
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo,Tu 06:00-23:00; We-Su 00:00-00:00
Visit websiteLucia's Italian Kitchen
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Effingham, IL
Cuisine: italian
Hours: Th 16:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11...
Visit websiteLucia's Steaks
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Effingham, IL
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-16:00
Visit websiteDenny's
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: american
Visit websiteTwin Lakes Recreational Area
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Lake Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Sundown Meadow Picnic Grove 3
Picnic_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Theodore Stone Forest Picnic Grove 2
Picnic_site
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Tierra Grande Park
Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Fulton Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Effingham, IL
Hours: Tu,Sa 10:00-14:00
Visit websiteDouglas County Museum
Museum
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
IL
Visit websiteThe Cross at the Crossroads
Wayside_cross
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Visit website
Tootsie
Artwork
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Visit website
Double Dutch – A Jump for Joy
Artwork
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Visit website
Uppercutted
Artwork
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Visit website
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Effingham, IL
Full guide →Effingham is a city in Illinois. Interstates 57 and 70 intersect in Effingham.
Arriving in Palatine, IL
Full guide →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 4h 26m. Total distance: 232.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 186.3 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.37 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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 34 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 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. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 188.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Palatine, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. 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 Palatine, IL
More from Effingham, IL
More trips to Palatine, IL
Explore more options from Effingham, IL or browse trips ending in Palatine, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.