This 272.9-mile journey from Jackson, IL to Arlington Heights, IL is a substantial day trip, estimated to take about 6 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. Primarily a highway-focused drive, 77% of the route utilizes major roads like US 41 and the Tri-State Tollway, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within the Midwest. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, it's a budget-friendly option for a single-day excursion. This drive is best suited for those prioritizing speed and directness over leisurely sightseeing. You'll encounter one main stop opportunity along the way.
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
136.5 miles from Jackson, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 41
137.9 mi
3h 2m
SR 63
63.3 mi
1h 20m
Tri-State Tollway
40.3 mi
51m
US 50 Business
9.3 mi
11m
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
6.3 mi
6m
Torrence Avenue
3.7 mi
5m
South Arlington Heights Road
3.1 mi
6m
Joliet Street
2.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 41
— 137.9 mi, about 3h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, IL and Arlington Heights, IL.
1
Start on 990N
0.1 mi·20 sec·990N
2
Turn right onto US 50 Business
0.2 mi·21 sec·US 50 Business
3
Take the ramp onto US 50 Business
9.0 mi·10 min·US 50 Business
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 41 North, US 150 West: Terre Haute
5
Continue on North 6th Street
0.3 mi·18 sec·North 6th Street
6
Continue on US 41; US 150
57 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 41; US 150
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn straight onto SR 63
63 mi·1 hr 20 min·SR 63
Toward Chicago
8
Continue on US 41
81 mi·1 hr 45 min·US 41
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto US 30
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Lincoln Highway
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on US 30
2.7 mi·5 min·Joliet Street
11
Continue on US 30
1.0 mi·2 min·Lincoln Highway
12
Continue on IL 83
1.8 mi·2 min·Glenwood Dyer Road
13
Turn right onto IL 83
3.7 mi·5 min·Torrence Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Use the left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward I 80 West, I 294 NorthUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 80; I 294
4.8 mi·6 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.8 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
24 mi·29 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
10 mi·13 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 40Toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Rockford, River RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 Toll West: RockfordUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 90
0.2 mi·12 sec·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
6.1 mi·6 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 70Toward Arlington Heights RoadUse the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
498 ft·12 sec
Use the right lane.
27
Turn straight onto North Arlington Heights Road
0.1 mi·14 sec·North Arlington Heights Road
28
Continue on South Arlington Heights Road
3.1 mi·6 min·South Arlington Heights Road
Use the left lane.
29
Turn left onto East Euclid Avenue
48 ft·1 sec·East Euclid Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
East Euclid Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour estimated duration, starting your drive from Jackson, IL early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach Arlington Heights. The route is straightforward, but keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without significant town navigation is 137.9 miles on US 41. With only one planned stop, consider consolidating your needs at that point. The $43 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a small buffer for unexpected detours or a slightly heavier foot on the accelerator.
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 136.5 miles from Jackson, IL, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.9 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 60 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.5 miles or 2h 58m 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 57m
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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, IL
This is one driving day of about 272.9 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Jackson, 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 US 41 for about 137.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 221 and 269.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
221 mi into trip|~4h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 West, I 294 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 80 West, I 294 North
8
261.7 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Rockford, River Road
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 40
Toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International A...
7
261.9 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chi...
7
262.2 mi into trip|~5h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
7
269.3 mi into trip|~5h 54m in
Take the exit toward Arlington Heights Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70
Toward Arlington Heights Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.66 one way
$85.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.84
$93.69
premium
$4.89
$52.52
$105.03
diesel
$5.61
$60.25
$120.51
Estimated Tolls: $2.85
Tri-state Tollway
(40.3 mi)$2.42
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(6.1 mi)$0.43
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
$43
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.9
1
$28.65
$13.10
Efficient EV
68.2
0
$23.88
$10.92
EV Truck/SUV
109.2
1
$38.21
$17.47
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Jackson, IL
Night
in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Rain Showers
WNW 12 to 16 mph76% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:50AM CDT until April 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:48AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Arlington Heights, IL
Night
in Arlington Heights on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Cloudy
WNW 20 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:50AM CDT until April 21 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 5:48AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
14 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
6h 2m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 235.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route. With 77% of the drive on high-speed roads, including segments of US 41 and the Tri-State Tollway, you'll cover significant ground quickly. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 137.9 miles on US 41, offering a chance for steady progress without frequent exits. While the landscape is largely consistent with Midwest terrain, the character of the drive is defined by its efficiency and the ease of navigating these major arteries for most of the 272.9 miles.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 137.9 mi on US 41.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 41 and SR 63. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 221 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 272.9 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 221 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Jackson, IL to Arlington Heights, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Chicago
67.2 mi in|~1h 29m|via SR 63
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 272.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 137.9 miles on US 41. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.85 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.
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 221 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 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.
