Elmhurst, IL to Upper Alton, IL is 275.9 miles and takes about 5h 16m via I 55 and State Route 140, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest's familiar landscapes. With 90% of the drive on highways, it's a straightforward path, best suited for those prioritizing reaching their destination efficiently. Plan for a single day of travel as the duration suggests it's easily manageable within daylight hours.
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
137.9 miles from Elmhurst, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
127.4 mi
2h 17m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
111.5 mi
2h 2m
State Route 140
9.6 mi
13m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
8.6 mi
10m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
5.5 mi
6m
College Avenue
2.4 mi
4m
South York Street
2.1 mi
4m
East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 127.4 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,743 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,333
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Elmhurst, IL and Upper Alton, IL.
1
Start on this road
267 ft·25 sec·this road
2
Turn left
51 ft·9 sec
3
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
362 ft·13 sec·West Park Avenue
4
Turn right onto South York Street
2.1 mi·4 min·South York Street
5
Continue on South York Road
0.8 mi·1 min·South York Road
6
Turn right onto Frontage Road
0.1 mi·19 sec·Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 88 West, IL 110: West Aurora
8
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
5.5 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Exit 131AToward I 355 South: JolietUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 355
8.6 mi·10 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 12AToward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Joliet Road SouthUse the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 55
112 mi·2 hr 2 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
63 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
18
Turn right onto IL 140
0.7 mi·1 min·East State Street
19
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
20
Continue on IL 140
1.8 mi·3 min·East Bethalto Drive
21
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.4 mi·2 min·East MacArthur Drive
22
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.3 mi·2 min·West Macarthur Drive
23
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
2.4 mi·4 min·College Avenue
24
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
0.6 mi·59 sec·Washington Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Washington Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time and the 90% highway profile, starting your trip in Elmhurst after morning rush hour, perhaps around 9:00 AM, should allow you to arrive in Upper Alton with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch without a major change is over 127 miles on I 55, so be sure to have your fuel tank topped off before embarking on that segment. While only one stop is indicated, consider a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The estimated fuel cost of $42 is based on current averages, but always check real-time gas prices before you depart.
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 137.9 miles from Elmhurst, IL, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.4 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 61 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.9 miles or 2h 37m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Upper Alton, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst, IL
This is one driving day of about 275.9 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Elmhurst, 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 127.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 130.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.4 mi into trip|~7m in|I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 138
Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
7
8.9 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward I 355 South: Joliet
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 131A
Toward I 355 South: Joliet
8
18.2 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
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 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
7
18.5 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Joliet Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Joliet Road South
8
130.5 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.02 one way
$92.05 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$50.22
$100.43
premium
$5.25
$57.06
$114.12
diesel
$6.28
$68.17
$136.34
Estimated Tolls: $0.93
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(8.6 mi)$0.60
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(5.5 mi)$0.33
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
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.8
1
$28.97
$13.24
Efficient EV
69
0
$24.14
$11.04
EV Truck/SUV
110.4
1
$38.63
$17.66
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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 19, 2026
Origin
Elmhurst, IL
Late night
in Elmhurst on Thursday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
SW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Upper Alton, IL
Late night
in Upper Alton on Thursday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
SE 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
64°F
Bloomington, IL
138 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
4 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
5h 16m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 190.3
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 90% of the 275.9 miles spent on high-speed roads like I 55 and the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. You'll experience a lengthy stretch of 127.4 miles on I 55 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a significant portion of the drive to involve higher speeds and more direct travel, with the shift to State Route 140 marking the end of the major highway cruising.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.
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 17 significant decision points across 275.9 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 3.4 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
799 ft545 ft
Total Climb
227 ft
Total Descent
371 ft
Highest Point
799 ft
~118.2 mi in
Elevation Range
254 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elmhurst, IL and Upper Alton, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South, Springfield and Greenville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 275.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.4 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.93 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 Upper Alton, 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 3.4 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Upper Alton, IL before the return drive.
