Elk Grove, IL to Somerset, IL is 355.8 miles and takes about 7h 6m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Illinois, making it a straightforward drive without crossing state lines. The route is primarily highway, suggesting a consistent pace and fewer complex navigation points. With only 2 planned stops and a recommended single day, this is a practical option for a direct trip between these two points.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
177.9 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
East Main Street
31.7 mi
47m
Ken Gray Expressway
20 mi
21m
Tri-State Tollway
18.2 mi
23m
Highway 145
5.9 mi
9m
Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi
7m
York Road
4.3 mi
7m
US 20
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 254.2 mi, about 4h 34m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~897 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,104
Quietest
3 AM
~139 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Somerset, IL.
1
Start on South Elmhurst Road
1.0 mi·1 min·South Elmhurst Road
2
Continue on York Road
4.3 mi·7 min·York Road
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on North York Street
1.3 mi·2 min·North York Street
4
Turn right onto Lake Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Lake Street
5
Turn slight right
147 ft·7 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp onto US 20
3.0 mi·4 min·US 20
Toward I 290 East, US 20 East: ChicagoUse the right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi·47 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
9
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
10
Merge onto I 294
137 ft·1 sec·Tri-State Tollway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
14
Continue on I 294
8.5 mi·10 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 12 B-AToward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 12AToward IL 50 South: Cicero AvenueUse the straight lane.
17
Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83
4.9 mi·7 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto 167th Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·167th Street
Use the left lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
20
Merge onto I 57
188 mi·3 hr 23 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
20 mi·21 min·Ken Gray Expressway
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward IL 14: Christopher, Benton
24
Turn left onto IL 14
0.9 mi·1 min·West Main Street
25
Enter roundabout onto IL 34
377 ft·8 sec·East Main Street
26
Continue on IL 34
32 mi·47 min·East Main Street
27
Turn left onto IL 13; IL 34
0.6 mi·50 sec·IL 13; IL 34
28
Turn right onto US 45; IL 34
1.2 mi·1 min·North Commercial Street
29
Turn left onto IL 34; IL 145
5.9 mi·9 min·Highway 145
30
Turn left onto IL 34
2.8 mi·3 min·IL 34
31
Turn left onto Deneal Road
1.4 mi·5 min·Deneal Road
32
Continue on Deneal Road
0.8 mi·3 min·Deneal Road
33
Continue on Deneal Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Deneal Road
34
Turn sharp right onto Somerset Road
114 ft·5 sec·Somerset Road
35
Arrive at destination
Somerset Road
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, departing in the morning is your best bet to comfortably complete this drive in one day. Plan for your 2 stops to break up the drive, especially the long 254.2-mile segment on I 57. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $54, and it's always wise to top off before hitting longer stretches of highway. Since you're staying within Illinois, you won't need to worry about differing state-specific regulations, simplifying your planning.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 177.9 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 177.9 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Somerset, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elk Grove, IL
This is one driving day of about 355.8 miles and 7h 6m.
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 2 real breaks 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
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
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
8
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
6
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
8
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...
8
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
$52.54 one way
$105.09 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$58.01
$116.01
premium
$4.72
$66.06
$132.12
diesel
$4.80
$67.18
$134.36
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
$53
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.7
1
$37.36
$17.08
Efficient EV
89
1
$31.13
$14.23
EV Truck/SUV
142.3
1
$49.81
$22.77
Gas CO2
124 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Elk Grove, IL
Late night
in Elk Grove on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Smoke
0 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Somerset, IL
Late night
in Somerset on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:29PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
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
1 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
7h 6m 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 24.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 81% of the 355.8 miles on interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 254.2 miles on I 57, where the pace is likely consistent. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur as you approach Somerset, IL, where East Main Street and Ken Gray Expressway become part of the final leg. Expect a steady cruising experience for the majority of this trip.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 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 East Main Street. 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 Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 355.8 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 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
791 ft405 ft
Total Climb
353 ft
Total Descent
567 ft
Highest Point
791 ft
~127.1 mi in
Elevation Range
386 ft
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 Elk Grove, IL to Somerset, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Benton along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 6m. Total distance: 355.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 6m 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 47 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 Somerset, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 47 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Somerset, IL before the return drive.
