Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Glen Carbon, IL to Elk Grove, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 19m
Distance
280 mi
451 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 6m
★
6 AM
5h 20m
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.
Glen Carbon, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Elk Grove, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Glen Carbon, IL to Elk Grove, IL is 280 miles and takes about 5h 19m via I 55 and Kingery Highway, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Illinois, making it a straightforward drive. Expect a predominantly highway experience, which means you'll cover ground efficiently. Given the relatively short duration and single recommended day, this route is ideal for a quick trip without needing an overnight stay.
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
140 miles from Glen Carbon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 254.7 mi | 4h 38m |
| Kingery Highway | 15.5 mi | 23m |
| Busse Road | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| I 270 | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| Glen Crossing Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Touhy Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Higgins Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 254.7 mi, about 4h 38m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,633 veh/hr typical · worst 2,039
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Glen Carbon, IL and Elk Grove, IL.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
2
Turn right onto Glen Crossing Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Glen Crossing Road
3
Turn left onto IL 159
519 ft
·
10 sec
·
South State Route 159
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 270 East: Effingham
5
Merge onto I 270
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 270
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 15B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
7
Merge onto I 55
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 55
8
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.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
118 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 274
Toward IL 83: Kingery Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on IL 83
16 mi
·
23 min
·
Kingery Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on IL 83
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Busse Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Touhy Avenue
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Touhy Avenue
16
Turn right onto IL 72
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
East Higgins Road
17
Turn right onto South Elmhurst Road
349 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Elmhurst Road
18
Arrive at destination
South Elmhurst Road
Trip Plan
Leaving Glen Carbon in the morning should give you ample time to reach Elk Grove before dark, especially since the drive is under 6 hours. With only one recommended day and a long highway stretch, you might only need one planned stop for fuel or a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of the 254.7-mile section on I 55, as services can sometimes be spaced out on longer highway segments. The flexibility of this single-day drive means you can adjust your departure time based on traffic or your personal schedule.
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 140 miles from Glen Carbon, IL, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.7 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 62 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140 miles or 2h 34m 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 Elk Grove, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Glen Carbon, 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 Glen Carbon, IL
This is one driving day of about 280 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Glen Carbon, 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 254.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 140 miles from Glen Carbon, 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 254.7 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
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Homestead Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Greater Chicago Truck Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
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
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
TA
1.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.3 mi from route
Hinsdale Oasis
2 mi from route
AF Truck Center
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 112 and 260 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
112 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m 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
141.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m 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
259.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m in
Take the exit toward IL 83: Kingery Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 274
Toward IL 83: Kingery Road
8
259.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road
8
260 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.35 one way
$82.70 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $45.65 | $91.30 |
| premium | $4.72 | $51.99 | $103.97 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $52.87 | $105.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84 | 1 | $29.40 | $13.44 |
| Efficient EV | 70 | 0 | $24.50 | $11.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112 | 1 | $39.20 | $17.92 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Origin
Glen Carbon, IL
Late night in Glen Carbon on Monday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
SW 6 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Elk Grove, IL
Late night in Elk Grove on Monday
Local time
5:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
WSW 5 to 10 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
85°F
Bloomington, IL
140 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
1 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 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...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 77.2
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 260.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 92% of this 280-mile drive on highways, with a substantial 254.7-mile stretch on I 55. This means you'll encounter plenty of exits and interchanges for the majority of your travel. The transition to surface roads like Kingery Highway and Busse Road will occur later in the trip, signaling a change from high-speed cruising to more localized driving.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 254.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Kingery Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 112 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 280 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 112 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
753 ft
465 ft
Total Climb
529 ft
Total Descent
327 ft
Highest Point
753 ft
~160 mi in
Elevation Range
287 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 Glen Carbon, IL to Elk Grove, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
141.4 mi in
|
~2h 35m
|
via I 55
About the Cities
Starting in Glen Carbon, IL
Full guide →Founded 1892
Arriving 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 5h 19m. Total distance: 280 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 (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 254.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 Elk Grove, 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 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 112 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Elk Grove, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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