Gurnee to Belleville is 322.3 miles and takes about 6h 9m via I 55 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. You'll be traveling entirely within Illinois, moving from the northern part of the state down into the southwestern region. This route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip if you're looking for efficiency. It's a solid option for a single-day drive, but you could also break it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
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
161.2 miles from Gurnee, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
142.7 mi
2h 34m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi
2h 13m
Tri-State Tollway
39.7 mi
48m
North Illinois Street
9.3 mi
14m
Vandalia Street
3 mi
4m
Waukegan Road
2.4 mi
3m
South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
Skokie Highway
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 142.7 mi, about 2h 34m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Gurnee, IL and Belleville, IL.
1
Start on North Greenleaf Street
92 ft·7 sec·North Greenleaf Street
2
Turn right onto IL 132
0.3 mi·25 sec·Grand Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward US 41 South: ChicagoUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto US 41
0.9 mi·1 min·Skokie Highway
5
Turn slight right onto IL 43
0.5 mi·50 sec·IL 43
Toward IL 43 South, IL 120 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on Waukegan Road
2.4 mi·3 min·Waukegan Road
7
Turn right onto IL 137
0.7 mi·1 min·Buckley Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 94 Toll East: ChicagoUse the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 94
11 mi·12 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
23 mi·28 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'HareUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 55
119 mi·2 hr 13 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
78 mi·1 hr 23 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 15AToward IL 159 South: Collinsville
19
Continue on IL 159
3.0 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
20
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
21
Continue on IL 159
9.3 mi·14 min·North Illinois Street
22
Turn left onto East F Street
59 ft·2 sec·East F Street
23
Arrive at destination
East F Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour drive time, leaving Gurnee in the morning should allow you to reach Belleville comfortably before evening. There's one recommended stop, which is a good pace for a drive of this length, but you have the flexibility to add more if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 142.7-mile stretch on I 55, as services might be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost is around $50, so plan accordingly before you depart.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.2 miles from Gurnee, IL, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.7 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 71 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.2 miles or 3h 8m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belleville, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gurnee, 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 Gurnee, IL
This is one driving day of about 322.3 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Gurnee, 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 142.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.6 and 230.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
16.6 mi into trip|~21m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
6
44.1 mi into trip|~56m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
45.9 mi into trip|~58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
165.7 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
7
230.6 mi into trip|~4h 23m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.60 one way
$95.19 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$52.55
$105.09
premium
$4.72
$59.84
$119.68
diesel
$4.80
$60.86
$121.71
Estimated Tolls: $2.38
Tri-state Tollway
(39.7 mi)$2.38
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
$48
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.7
1
$33.84
$15.47
Efficient EV
80.6
0
$28.20
$12.89
EV Truck/SUV
128.9
1
$45.12
$20.63
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Gurnee, IL
Late night
in Gurnee on Monday
Local time
2:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Smoke
SSW 5 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Belleville, IL
Late night
in Belleville on Monday
Local time
2:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 7 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
69°F
Springfield, IL
161 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
6h 9m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 222.3
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 44.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is largely highway cruising, with 81% of the 322.3 miles on major roads like I 55 and the Tri-State Tollway. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on I 55, covering 142.7 miles without needing to exit. Expect a significant amount of highway driving before transitioning to surface roads closer to your destination. The frequent exits on the Tri-State Tollway might make for a busier start to your drive.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 142.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.6 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 322.3 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 16.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
793 ft514 ft
Total Climb
312 ft
Total Descent
475 ft
Highest Point
793 ft
~161.2 mi in
Elevation Range
279 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Gurnee, IL and Belleville, IL, road signs point toward O'hare, St. Louis and Springfield.
Gurnee is a village in Illinois. It sits at the midpoint between Chicago and Milwaukee. It's best known as the home of the Six Flags Great America amusement park, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago water park, the Gurnee Mills shopping mall, and a Great Wolf Lodge location. As such, Gurnee sees over 23 million visitors every year.
Top landmarks
•Goliath (Six Flags Great America) — wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois
•The Flash: Vertical Velocity — amusement ride in Six Flags Great America
•Shockwave — roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 9m. Total distance: 322.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 142.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.38 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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.
Yes — we found about 36 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 Belleville, 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 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Belleville, IL before the return drive.
