Trip from Elk Grove, IL to Mount Pleasant, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 43m

Distance

356.4 mi

574 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

23 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 32m ★

6 AM

6h 44m

8 AM

7h 7m

10 AM

6h 52m

12 PM

6h 50m

3 PM

6h 53m

5 PM

7h 6m

8 PM

6h 37m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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Elk Grove, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Mount Pleasant, IL

fish socks

Trip Overview

Elk Grove, IL to Mount Pleasant, IL is 356.4 miles and takes about 6h 43m via I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Illinois, covering a significant distance within the Midwest region. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, it’s a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a straightforward drive that prioritizes covering ground over extensive sightseeing.

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

178.2 miles from Elk Grove, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 27m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	254.2 mi	4h 34m
Ken Gray Expressway	61.7 mi	1h 6m
Tri-State Tollway	18.2 mi	23m
Cicero Avenue	4.9 mi	7m
York Road	4.3 mi	7m
US 20	3 mi	4m
North York Street	1.3 mi	2m
765N	1.1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 254.2 mi, about 4h 34m

Traffic on I-57

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~1,073 veh/hr typical · worst 1,461

Quietest

2 AM

~180 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 99 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 Elk Grove, IL and Mount Pleasant, IL.

Start on South Elmhurst Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Elmhurst Road

Continue on York Road

4.3 mi · 7 min · York Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on North York Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · North York Street

Turn right onto Lake Street

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Lake Street

Turn slight right

147 ft · 7 sec

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp onto US 20

3.0 mi · 4 min · US 20

Toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago Use the right lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 294

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway

Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

1.0 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway

Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Merge onto I 294

137 ft · 1 sec · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 294

0.9 mi · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge

Continue on I 294

8.5 mi · 10 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 12 B-A Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 12A Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue Use the straight lane.

Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83

4.9 mi · 7 min · Cicero Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto 167th Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · 167th Street

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80

Merge onto I 57

188 mi · 3 hr 23 min · I 57

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 57

Toward I 57 South: Memphis

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

62 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Ken Gray Expressway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 37 sec

Toward IL 146: Anna, Vienna

Turn left onto IL 146

0.2 mi · 21 sec · 770N

Continue on IL 146

1.1 mi · 1 min · 765N

Continue on IL 146

0.3 mi · 22 sec · 750N

Continue on IL 146

1.0 mi · 1 min · 745N

Continue on IL 146

0.8 mi · 1 min · 740N

Continue on IL 146

0.7 mi · 1 min · 750N

Turn left onto Mt Pleasant Road

0.6 mi · 2 min · Mt Pleasant Road

Arrive at destination

Mt Pleasant Road

Trip Plan

For this 6h 43m drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially if you encounter any urban merging. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a brief fuel and stretch break or plan a slightly longer meal stop. The longest stretch of 254.2 miles on I 57 means you can cover a lot of ground without frequent turns or exits, so ensure you're fueled up before entering this segment. Your estimated fuel cost is around $56, so budget accordingly.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 178.2 miles from Elk Grove, IL, or about 3h 27m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.2 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 78 miles or 1h 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 178.2 miles or 3h 27m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Pleasant, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Elk Grove, 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 Elk Grove, IL

This is one driving day of about 356.4 miles and 6h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Elk Grove, 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 254.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Macon County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Decatur, IL

178 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

Shelby, IN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Casey, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 178.2 miles from Elk Grove, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

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 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 29.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6.8 mi into trip | ~12m in | US 20

Take the ramp onto US 20 toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago

9.8 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

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 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

10.5 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

29.3 mi into trip | ~42m in

Take the exit toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street

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 12 B-A Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th...

29.5 mi into trip | ~42m in

Keep slight left at fork toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 12A Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$59.45 one way

$118.90 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 125 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.61	$64.62	$129.23
premium	$5.26	$73.79	$147.58
diesel	$6.18	$86.70	$173.40

Estimated Tolls: $1.09

Tri-state Tollway (18.2 mi) $1.09

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

$59

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$86–$111

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 124.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.

EV Charging Along Route

23 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Des Plaines, IL - Tesla Supercharger

Des Plaines, IL

Tesla

52 DCFC

Gigahub ORD Mannheim Road, Des Plaines, IL

Des Plaines, IL

BP_PULSE

40 DCFC

Rolling Meadows, IL - Tesla Supercharger

Rolling Meadows, IL

Tesla

22 DCFC

Chicago, IL - O'Hare - Tesla Supercharger

Chicago, IL

Tesla

14 DCFC

Centennial Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Addison, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Rosemont, IL - Tesla Supercharger

Rosemont, IL

Tesla

10 DCFC

Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare

Rosemont, IL

NAYAX_ENERGY

8 DCFC

Macerich Fashion Outlets of Chicago (Rosemont, IL)

Rosemont, IL

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Tesla: 6 eVgo Network: 3 BP_PULSE: 3 NAYAX_ENERGY: 3 Blink Network: 2 EVXY: 2 Non-Networked: 1 NOODOE: 1 Electrify America: 1 VIALYNK: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	106.9	1	$37.42	$17.11
Efficient EV	89.1	1	$31.19	$14.26
EV Truck/SUV	142.6	1	$49.90	$22.81

Gas CO2

125 kg

EV CO2

42 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 Oct 18, 2026

Origin

Elk Grove, IL

Late night in Elk Grove on Sunday

Local time

5:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

40°F

Clear

SSW 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Mount Pleasant, IL

Late night in Mount Pleasant on Sunday

Local time

5:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

34°F

Clear then Areas Of Frost

0 mph 0% chance Live 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

6 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

6h 43m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour Free near mile 24.6

Caution: Road Construction Near the Park

View on nps.gov

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 89% of the 356.4 miles on major roads like I 57. You'll experience a longest stretch of 254.2 miles on I 57, indicating substantial time on this interstate. Expect fewer transitions to surface roads until later in the trip. The high highway percentage means you'll encounter a consistent flow of traffic and a consistent speed for most of your drive.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 254.2 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in near US 20.

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 356.4 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 6.8 miles (US 20): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

796 ft 423 ft

Total Climb

378 ft

Total Descent

554 ft

Highest Point

796 ft

~127.3 mi in

Elevation Range

373 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Elk Grove, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1956

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 6h 43m. Total distance: 356.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 254.2 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.09 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 51 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 Mount Pleasant, 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 51 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mount Pleasant, IL before the return drive.

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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Explore more options from Elk Grove, IL or browse trips ending in Mount Pleasant, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Trip from Elk Grove, IL to Mount Pleasant, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-57

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Green Creek Rest Area - Southbound

Post Oak Rest Area - Northbound

Post Oak Rest Area - Southbound

Main Line Station Rest Area - Northbound

Illini Prairie Rest Area - Southbound

Flying J Travel Center

Rend Lake Rest Area (I57-SB)

Illini Prairie Rest Area - Northbound

Rend Lake Rest Area - Northbound

Green Creek Rest Area - Northbound

Service Plaza

Trail of Tears Rest Area - Southbound

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Trail of Tears Rest Area - Northbound

Main Line Station Rest Area - Southbound

Petro Stopping Centers

Petro Stopping Centers

Pilot Travel Center

Prairie View Rest Area - Northbound

Prairie View Rest Area - Southbound

Truckomat Truck Wash - Effingham

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Road Ranger

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Peotone Travel Center

AF Truck Center

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

QuikTrip

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Elk Grove, IL

Mount Pleasant, IL

Same local time

6 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 43m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Pullman National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Elk Grove, IL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?