Spanning 157.8 miles, this trek from Guilford to Berwyn is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 23 minutes. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, making it an ideal choice for a quick getaway or a necessary commute. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, the drive remains budget-friendly for solo travelers and families alike. Navigating through the heart of the Midwest, you will utilize a combination of the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, and I-290. While the route is manageable in one go, keep in mind that the road character leans toward turn-heavy local driving, so plan for a steady pace rather than a high-speed sprint.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.9 miles from Guilford, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
58.7 mi
1h 13m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
49.5 mi
53m
I 290
19.6 mi
25m
West State Road
9.8 mi
11m
North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
8.1 mi
14m
West North Avenue
2.1 mi
3m
West Rawlins Road
1.9 mi
4m
South 1st Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
— 58.7 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Guilford, IL and Berwyn, IL.
1
Start on West Guilford Road
0.4 mi·56 sec·West Guilford Road
2
Continue on West Rawlins Road
1.9 mi·4 min·West Rawlins Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto CR 4
8.1 mi·14 min·North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
0.7 mi·1 min·Madison Street
5
Continue on US 20
0.1 mi·20 sec·West Diagonal Street
6
Continue on US 20
0.4 mi·1 min·North Main Street
7
Continue on US 20
4.6 mi·6 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
8
Continue on US 20
0.5 mi·1 min·East Woodbine Street
9
Continue on US 20
6.4 mi·8 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
10
Continue on US 20
2.1 mi·3 min·West North Avenue
11
Continue on US 20
33 mi·41 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
12
Continue on US 20
9.8 mi·11 min·West State Road
13
Continue on US 20
14 mi·16 min·U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Toward US 20 East: Chicago
14
Continue on I 39; US 51
0.6 mi·41 sec·I 39; US 51
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
16
Merge onto I 90
20 mi·21 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
30 mi·31 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 68A-BToward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West SuburbsUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 68AToward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West SuburbsUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·33 sec·this road
Exit 68AToward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
21
Merge onto I 290; IL 53
5.7 mi·7 min·I 290; IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290
14 mi·18 min·I 290
Toward I 290 East: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 20Toward IL 171: 1st AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn slight left onto Bataan Drive
381 ft·14 sec·Bataan Drive
25
Turn right onto IL 171
1.4 mi·2 min·South 1st Avenue
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto 1st Avenue Cutoff
0.2 mi·31 sec·1st Avenue Cutoff
27
Turn straight onto Cermak Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Cermak Road
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on West Cermak Road
0.5 mi·1 min·West Cermak Road
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
West Cermak Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, aim to depart early in the day to navigate the more complex segments while you are fresh and alert. You only need to plan for one major stop, which offers plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs or grab a snack without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your navigation, especially during the transition between the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway and I-290, as the local road layout requires frequent course corrections. Since fuel costs are estimated at $24, filling your tank before you leave Guilford will help you avoid higher prices near the more congested areas of your destination. Enjoy the freedom of a one-day itinerary that allows you to arrive in Berwyn with plenty of daylight to spare.
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 78.9 miles from Guilford, IL, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.7 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 35 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Berwyn, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Guilford, 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 Guilford, IL
This is one driving day of about 157.8 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Guilford, 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 U.S. Grant Memorial Highway for about 58.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 103.7 and 154.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
103.7 mi into trip|~2h 15m 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
133.5 mi into trip|~2h 47m 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
9
134 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68A
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West S...
7
140.2 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|I 290
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290 toward I 290 East: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
7
154.1 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward IL 171: 1st Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20
Toward IL 171: 1st Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.67 one way
$49.34 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.09
$54.17
premium
$4.89
$30.37
$60.73
diesel
$5.61
$34.84
$69.68
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
$25
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.3
0
$16.57
$7.57
Efficient EV
39.5
0
$13.81
$6.31
EV Truck/SUV
63.1
0
$22.09
$10.10
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Guilford, IL
Late night
in Guilford on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Berwyn, IL
Late night
in Berwyn on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Freeport, IL
79 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
18 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
3h 23m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 157.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this route transitions from wide-open stretches to more technical segments. With only 13% of the journey consisting of highway driving, you will spend most of your time on local roads that demand your full attention. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is 58.7 miles on the U.S. Grant Memorial Highway, providing a brief respite from the frequent turns found elsewhere. As you progress, the personality of the road shifts from regional thoroughfares to the more demanding, turn-heavy local lanes. This mix ensures you stay engaged, though it requires a bit more focus than a monotonous interstate cruise.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.7 mi on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 103.7 miles in near I 90 / Jane Addams 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 13 significant decision points across 157.8 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 103.7 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Guilford, IL to Berwyn, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Suburbs along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 157.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.7 miles on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway. 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.
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 Berwyn, 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 103.7 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Berwyn, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
