Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Fairview Heights, IL to Wheaton, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 19m
Distance
274.5 mi
442 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 6m
★
6 AM
5h 19m
8 AM
5h 46m
10 AM
5h 29m
12 PM
5h 26m
3 PM
5h 30m
5 PM
5h 45m
8 PM
5h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairview Heights, IL
Choco Kitty
Wheaton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fairview Heights, IL to Wheaton, IL is 274.5 miles and takes about 5h 19m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive that should be manageable in a single day, making it a good option if you want to get to your destination without an overnight stay. The route is predominantly highway, so expect a consistent pace for most of the drive.
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
137.2 miles from Fairview Heights, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 248.1 mi | 4h 28m |
| North Illinois Street | 4.8 mi | 7m |
| Naperville Road | 4.3 mi | 8m |
| Weber Road | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Naper Boulevard | 3.5 mi | 7m |
| Vandalia Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| South Washington Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| South Morrison Avenue | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 248.1 mi, about 4h 28m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,681 veh/hr typical · worst 2,233
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Fairview Heights, IL and Wheaton, IL.
1
Start on North Brook Circle
117 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Brook Circle
2
Turn right onto Waterside Drive
326 ft
·
25 sec
·
Waterside Drive
3
Turn right onto North Brook Circle
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North Brook Circle
4
Turn left onto Longacre Drive
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Longacre Drive
5
Turn left onto IL 159
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
North Illinois Street
6
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Morrison Avenue
7
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Vandalia Street
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
9
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 55; I 70; US 40
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
107 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 263
Toward Weber Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
233 ft
·
7 sec
Use the left lane.
15
Turn straight onto CH 88
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Weber Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Washington Street
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on South Washington Street
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Hobson Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hobson Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto Naper Boulevard
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Naper Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on Naperville Road
4.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Naperville Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn left onto IL 38
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Roosevelt Road
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
23
At end of road, turn left onto West Wesley Street
102 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Wesley Street
24
Arrive at destination
West Wesley Street
Trip Plan
Leaving in the morning should give you ample daylight to complete the 274.5-mile drive. With a duration of around 5 hours and 19 minutes, you might consider one stop for fuel or a quick break, especially since the longest stretch is 248.1 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $41. Given that this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in departure time, but an earlier start will allow for a more relaxed pace and avoid potential late-day traffic.
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 137.2 miles from Fairview Heights, IL, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 248.1 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 60 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.2 miles or 2h 35m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wheaton, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairview Heights, 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 Fairview Heights, IL
This is one driving day of about 274.5 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Fairview Heights, 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 248.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137.2 miles from Fairview Heights, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 248.1 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.
Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Dixie Trucker's Home
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Homestead Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Coalfield Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Funks Grove Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Homestead Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 13.6 and 258.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
13.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
7
121.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m 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
150.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m 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
7
257.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m in
Take the exit toward Weber Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 263
Toward Weber Road
7
258.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.20 one way
$100.40 round trip
$4.65/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.27 | $56.97 | $113.95 |
| premium | $5.83 | $62.97 | $125.95 |
| diesel | $6.54 | $70.69 | $141.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.4 | 1 | $28.82 | $13.18 |
| Efficient EV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.02 | $10.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.8 | 1 | $38.43 | $17.57 |
Gas CO2
96 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.
Origin
Fairview Heights, IL
Evening in Fairview Heights on Thursday
Local time
5:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
SE 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Wheaton, IL
Evening in Wheaton on Thursday
Local time
5:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Clear
SSW 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
48°F
Bloomington, IL
137 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
28 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 19m 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...
3 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 94.6
View on nps.gov
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 265
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 90% highway, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 248.1 miles on I 55. You'll experience mostly highway cruising before transitioning to surface roads for the final section. Expect a high number of exits and interchanges as you navigate the interstate system for the majority of your travel.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 248.1 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North Illinois Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.6 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 274.5 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 13.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
797 ft
538 ft
Total Climb
531 ft
Total Descent
361 ft
Highest Point
797 ft
~160.6 mi in
Elevation Range
259 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.
On the drive from Fairview Heights, IL to Wheaton, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
150.8 mi in
|
~2h 49m
|
via I 55
About the Cities
Starting in Fairview Heights, IL
Full guide →Arriving in Wheaton, IL
Full guide →Founded 1831
Wheaton is a suburban city of 53,000 people (2019) in Chicagoland.
Top landmarks
- • Old DuPage County Courthouse — former courthouse in Wheaton, Illinois
- • Trinity Episcopal Church — church building in Wheaton, United States of America
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 5h 19m. Total distance: 274.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m 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 248.1 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Wheaton, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wheaton, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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