Spanning 93.4 miles across the Illinois landscape, this trip from Freeport to Arlington Heights takes approximately 1 hour and 51 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward journey well-suited for a single-day excursion, as the distance allows for a comfortable arrival without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $14 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwestern points. Navigating through the region involves a combination of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, and West State Road. Because the drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.7 miles from Freeport, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
49.5 mi
53m
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
21.9 mi
25m
West State Road
9.8 mi
11m
US 20 Business
3.3 mi
5m
Euclid Avenue
2.5 mi
5m
I 290
1.9 mi
2m
South Galena Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
I 39
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 49.5 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Freeport, IL and Arlington Heights, IL.
1
Start on US 20 Business
1.6 mi·2 min·South Galena Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 20 Business
2.9 mi·4 min·US 20 Business
3
Take the ramp onto US 20 Business
0.4 mi·51 sec·US 20 Business
4
Merge onto US 20
7.5 mi·8 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
5
Continue on US 20
9.8 mi·11 min·West State Road
6
Continue on US 20
14 mi·16 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
7
Continue on I 39; US 51
0.6 mi·41 sec·I 39; US 51
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
9
Merge onto I 90
20 mi·21 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
30 mi·31 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 68A-BToward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West SuburbsUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·19 sec
Exit 68BToward IL 53 North: Northwest Suburbs
13
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·18 sec·this road
Exit 68BToward IL 53 North: Northwest Suburbs
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·50 sec
Exit 68BToward IL 53 North: Northwest SuburbsUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto I 290; IL 53
1.9 mi·2 min·I 290; IL 53
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit CourtUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn slight right onto Euclid Avenue
2.5 mi·5 min·Euclid Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
East Euclid Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-two-hour drive, you have the advantage of choosing your departure time based on traffic patterns rather than fatigue management. With no mandatory stops required by the length of the trip, you can easily complete the 93.4-mile stretch in one go. If you are sensitive to toll costs or heavy traffic, check the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway conditions before you head out, as that is where you will spend the bulk of your time. Make sure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving Freeport, as the $14 estimate provides a good baseline for your budget. Use the flexibility of this short travel time to adjust your schedule to avoid peak congestion hours near your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.7 miles from Freeport, IL, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.5 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 21 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.7 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington Heights, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Freeport, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Freeport, IL
This is one driving day of about 93.4 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Freeport, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 49.5 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 57.6 and 90.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
57.6 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
87.4 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68A-B
Toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
6
87.9 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 53 North: Northwest Suburbs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 68B
Toward IL 53 North: Northwest Suburbs
8
88.4 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 53 North: Northwest Suburbs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 68B
Toward IL 53 North: Northwest Suburbs
7
90.6 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit Court
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.
Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circ...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.60 one way
$29.20 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.03
$32.06
premium
$4.89
$17.97
$35.95
diesel
$5.61
$20.62
$41.24
Estimated Tolls: $3.46
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(49.5 mi)$3.46
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
$15
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28
0
$9.81
$4.48
Efficient EV
23.4
0
$8.17
$3.74
EV Truck/SUV
37.4
0
$13.08
$5.98
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Freeport, IL
Late night
in Freeport on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington Heights, IL
Late night
in Arlington Heights on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Cherry Valley, IL
47 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 51m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that transitions between different road types as you make your way toward Arlington Heights. While you will spend some time on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 49.5 miles, only about 6% of the total journey is strictly highway. The rest of the route requires more focused attention on local roads and segments like the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway and West State Road. You will find that the personality of the drive shifts from more open stretches to more intricate, localized navigation. Keep your hands on the wheel, as the mix of road types keeps the driving experience varied rather than monotonous.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.5 mi on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 57.6 miles in near I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 93.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 57.6 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
913 ft703 ft
Total Climb
347 ft
Total Descent
416 ft
Highest Point
913 ft
~66.7 mi in
Elevation Range
210 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 Freeport, IL to Arlington Heights, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Suburbs along the way.
Suburbs
87.4 mi in|~1h 39m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 93.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.5 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.46 in tolls one way, starting with Jane Addams 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.
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 Arlington Heights, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 57.6 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Arlington Heights, IL before heading back.
