Godfrey, IL to Arlington Heights, IL is 292.8 miles and takes about 5h 36m via I 55, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward drive. With 90% of the route on highways, expect a mostly efficient travel experience. This is a solid option if you're looking for a single-day trip without extensive planning, especially considering the 238.5-mile stretch on I 55.
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
146.4 miles from Godfrey, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
238.5 mi
4h 19m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi
24m
State Route 140
9.7 mi
13m
IL 255
7.9 mi
9m
I 290
5.6 mi
6m
IL 53
2.7 mi
3m
Euclid Avenue
2.5 mi
5m
West Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 238.5 mi, about 4h 19m
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 Godfrey, IL and Arlington Heights, IL.
1
Start on Isabel Street
312 ft·13 sec·Isabel Street
2
Continue on Isabel Drive
0.2 mi·45 sec·Isabel Drive
3
At end of road, turn right onto Pearl Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pearl Street
4
Turn left onto Humbert Road
0.3 mi·34 sec·Humbert Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 255 South
6
Merge onto IL 255
7.9 mi·9 min·IL 255
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 10Toward IL 111, IL 140: Alton, Bethalto
8
Keep slight left at fork
206 ft·6 sec
Toward IL 111, IL 140: Bethalto
9
Turn slight left onto IL 111; IL 140
0.3 mi·36 sec·East MacArthur Drive
10
Continue on IL 140
1.8 mi·3 min·West Bethalto Drive
11
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
12
Continue on IL 140
0.8 mi·1 min·West State Street
13
Continue on IL 140
443 ft·13 sec·State Route 140
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
15
Merge onto I 55
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 55
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
112 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 269Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest SuburbsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
20
Merge onto I 355
19 mi·24 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 290
5.6 mi·6 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
2.7 mi·3 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit CourtUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn slight right onto Euclid Avenue
2.5 mi·5 min·Euclid Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
25
Arrive at destination
East Euclid Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 36m drive, consider leaving Godfrey, IL early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the Chicago metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop and a long stretch on I 55, plan your breaks strategically. The $45 fuel cost suggests filling up before you depart or at a well-priced station along I 55. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, breaking up the 238.5-mile I 55 segment is advisable for comfort and to keep you alert.
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 146.4 miles from Godfrey, IL, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 238.5 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 64 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.4 miles or 2h 46m 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 29m
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 Godfrey, 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 Godfrey, IL
This is one driving day of about 292.8 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Godfrey, 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 238.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.3 and 290 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
9.3 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 111, IL 140: Bethalto
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 111, IL 140: Bethalto
7
118.9 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
148.2 mi into trip|~2h 48m 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
8
260.7 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
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 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest...
7
290 mi into trip|~5h 29m 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
$45.40 one way
$90.79 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$49.78
$99.55
premium
$4.93
$56.81
$113.62
diesel
$5.60
$64.54
$129.09
Estimated Tolls: $1.35
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.2 mi)$1.35
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
$45
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: 102.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.8
1
$30.74
$14.05
Efficient EV
73.2
0
$25.62
$11.71
EV Truck/SUV
117.1
1
$40.99
$18.74
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Aug 17, 2026
Origin
Godfrey, IL
Late night
in Godfrey on Friday
Local time
2:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 5 mph64% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 16 at 9:13PM CDT until August 18 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 16 at 9:13PM CDT until August 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Arlington Heights, IL
Late night
in Arlington Heights on Friday
Local time
2:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Cloudy
N 5 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 16 at 9:13PM CDT until August 18 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 16 at 9:13PM CDT until August 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
71°F
Bloomington, IL
146 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
3 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 36m 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...
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 262.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 90% of your 292.8-mile trip on highways, primarily I 55. The longest continuous highway segment is 238.5 miles, so prepare for extended cruising. The transition to surface roads will likely occur as you approach your destination in Arlington Heights, with State Route 140 being the final segment before reaching Veterans Memorial Tollway. Expect a consistent driving pace for the majority of the drive.
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: 238.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Veterans Memorial Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 292.8 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 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
745 ft594 ft
Total Climb
261 ft
Total Descent
167 ft
Highest Point
745 ft
~144.1 mi in
Elevation Range
152 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Godfrey, IL and Arlington Heights, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Southwest Suburbs.
Arlington Heights is a city in northeastern Chicagoland. The 2010 Census put the population at 75,101, the largest for a village in the United States. Arlington Heights is known for the Arlington Park Race Track as well as a large Japanese community, third in the state behind neighboring Schaumburg and Chicago proper. Some notable people have come from the village as well, including Walter Payton, Ted Nugent, and Ray Kroc (founder of McDonald's).
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 292.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m 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 238.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.35 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.2 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Arlington Heights, IL before the return drive.
