Hoffman Estates, IL to Crest Hill, IL is 299.6 miles and takes about 5h 39m via I-55 and I-355, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest route keeps you within Illinois for its entirety, offering a straightforward path. It's primarily a highway drive, meaning you'll cover ground efficiently. If you're looking for a direct connection between these two points with minimal fuss, this route fits the bill, allowing you to get where you need to go with predictable travel times.
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
149.8 miles from Hoffman Estates, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
146.8 mi
2h 38m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
111.5 mi
2h 2m
I 355
20.1 mi
25m
I 255
7.4 mi
8m
I 290
4.2 mi
5m
West Higgins Road
2.5 mi
4m
New Missouri Avenue
2.4 mi
2m
Old Saint Louis Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 146.8 mi, about 2h 38m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,778 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,331
Quietest
2 AM
~165 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
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 Hoffman Estates, IL and Crest Hill, IL.
1
Start on Bode Road
32 ft·8 sec·Bode Road
2
Turn left onto North Roselle Road
0.1 mi·11 sec·North Roselle Road
3
Turn right onto IL 72
2.5 mi·4 min·West Higgins Road
4
Turn right onto Frontage Road
0.1 mi·19 sec·Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago
6
Merge onto I 290; IL 53
4.2 mi·5 min·I 290; IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
20 mi·25 min·I 355
Exit 7Toward I 355 South Tollway: JolietUse the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 12AToward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Joliet Road SouthUse the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 55
112 mi·2 hr 2 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 10Toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 255 South: Memphis
16
Merge onto I 255
7.4 mi·8 min·I 255
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 17AToward IL 15 East: BellevilleUse the right lane.
18
Continue on IL 15
2.4 mi·2 min·New Missouri Avenue
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
20
Turn straight onto Busch Boulevard
0.1 mi·39 sec·Busch Boulevard
21
Turn left onto IL 13
0.6 mi·1 min·Old Saint Louis Road
22
Turn right onto Eiler Road
0.2 mi·23 sec·Eiler Road
23
Turn left onto Bernard Drive
0.2 mi·47 sec·Bernard Drive
24
Continue on Bernard Drive
358 ft·19 sec·Bernard Drive
25
Turn left onto Bethesda Drive
0.2 mi·53 sec·Bethesda Drive
26
Turn right onto Belvedere Drive
0.1 mi·30 sec·Belvedere Drive
27
Arrive at destination
Belvedere Drive
Trip Plan
For this 5h 39m drive, consider leaving Hoffman Estates in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $46, you can be quite flexible with your timing. The longest stretch is 146.8 miles, so plan for a break before or during that segment. Since it's a single-day trip, you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule, but be mindful of potential congestion as you get closer to the Chicago metropolitan area.
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 149.8 miles from Hoffman Estates, IL, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.8 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 66 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.8 miles or 2h 51m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crest Hill, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hoffman Estates, 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 Hoffman Estates, IL
This is one driving day of about 299.6 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Hoffman Estates, 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 146.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 139.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
7.1 mi into trip|~11m in|I 355
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
8
27.2 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
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 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
7
27.5 mi into trip|~36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Joliet Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Joliet Road South
7
27.9 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight left at fork 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
8
139.6 mi into trip|~2h 40m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.98 one way
$99.95 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$54.53
$109.06
premium
$5.25
$61.96
$123.92
diesel
$6.28
$74.03
$148.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.9
1
$31.46
$14.38
Efficient EV
74.9
0
$26.22
$11.98
EV Truck/SUV
119.8
1
$41.94
$19.17
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Hoffman Estates, IL
Late night
in Hoffman Estates on Thursday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Crest Hill, IL
Late night
in Crest Hill on Thursday
Local time
5:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
SE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
64°F
Bloomington, IL
150 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
26 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 39m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 196.3
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 20.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 97% of this 299.6-mile drive. Expect a significant stretch of 146.8 miles on I-55, which means consistent cruising with limited interruptions. The transition to surface roads, if any, will occur very late in the trip. Given the high highway percentage, anticipate a driving experience characterized by steady speeds and frequent exits as you approach your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.8 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 7.1 miles in near I 355.
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 20 significant decision points across 299.6 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 7.1 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
812 ft546 ft
Total Climb
317 ft
Total Descent
556 ft
Highest Point
812 ft
~128.4 mi in
Elevation Range
266 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hoffman Estates, IL and Crest Hill, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Springfield.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 299.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 146.8 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Crest Hill, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.1 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.5 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Crest Hill, IL before the return drive.
