Jackson, IL to Wheaton, IL is 273.2 miles and takes about 5h 51m via I 57 and Veterans Memorial Tollway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Given its duration and mostly highway profile, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip. Plan for a straightforward drive with a good portion on interstate highways.
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
136.6 miles from Jackson, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
128.3 mi
2h 17m
IL 33
36.3 mi
53m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
23 mi
26m
US 50
18.6 mi
25m
US 45
18.2 mi
25m
South Van Buren Street
11 mi
15m
County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi
9m
Illinois Route 16
5.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 128.3 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~928 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,278
Quietest
2 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Jackson, IL and Wheaton, IL.
1
Start on 990N
0.1 mi·27 sec·990N
2
Turn sharp left onto US 50 Business
2.5 mi·3 min·US 50 Business
3
Continue on State Street
0.3 mi·29 sec·State Street
4
Take the ramp onto US 50 Business
0.4 mi·1 min·US 50 Business
5
Continue on US 50
19 mi·25 min·US 50
6
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.1 mi·2 min·East Main Street
7
Turn right onto North Lincoln Avenue
481 ft·18 sec·North Lincoln Avenue
8
Turn left onto East Butler Street
1.3 mi·3 min·East Butler Street
9
Turn right onto IL 130
1.3 mi·2 min·North West Street
10
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi·9 min·County Road 1100 East
11
Continue on IL 130
11 mi·15 min·South Van Buren Street
12
Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130
36 mi·53 min·IL 33; IL 130
13
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi·4 min·Lincoln Avenue
14
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi·7 min·Illinois Route 16
15
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi·38 sec·Charleston Avenue East
16
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
17
Merge onto I 57
128 mi·2 hr 17 min·I 57
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Exit 318Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
19
Turn left onto Bourbonnais Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Bourbonnais Parkway
20
Turn right onto US 45; US 52
18 mi·25 min·US 45; US 52
21
Turn left onto West Steger Road
0.2 mi·54 sec·West Steger Road
22
Turn right onto Wolf Road
2.3 mi·4 min·Wolf Road
23
Turn left onto US 30
3.8 mi·5 min·Lincoln Highway
24
Continue on US 30
0.3 mi·26 sec·East Maple Street
25
Continue on US 30
442 ft·10 sec·West Lincoln Highway
26
Turn right onto North Cedar Road
2.4 mi·5 min·North Cedar Road
27
Turn left onto US 6
0.2 mi·18 sec·Maple Road
28
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·57 sec
Toward I 355 Toll North: West SuburbsUse the right lane.
29
Merge onto I 355
23 mi·26 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 24Toward IL 38: Roosevelt RoadUse the slight right lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork
389 ft·11 sec
Toward IL 38: Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn, WheatonUse the left lane.
32
Turn left onto IL 38
3.4 mi·7 min·East Roosevelt Road
33
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
34
At end of road, turn left onto West Wesley Street
102 ft·2 sec·West Wesley Street
35
Arrive at destination
West Wesley Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 51m drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you approach Wheaton. With only one recommended stop and 273.2 miles, you can easily complete this in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $42, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, perhaps before you leave I 57. The longest stretch without exiting the highway is 128.3 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration before departing.
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 136.6 miles from Jackson, IL, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.3 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.6 miles or 3h 2m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wheaton, 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 273.2 miles and 5h 51m.
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 I 57 for about 128.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 272.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 50 Business
Turn sharp left onto US 50 Business
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
216.7 mi into trip|~4h 28m in
Take the exit toward Bourbonnais Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 318
Toward Bourbonnais Parkway
7
268.8 mi into trip|~5h 41m in
Take the exit toward IL 38: Roosevelt Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 24
Toward IL 38: Roosevelt Road
8
269.2 mi into trip|~5h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 38: Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward IL 38: Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn, Wheat...
6
272.7 mi into trip|~5h 49m in|South Main Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.36 one way
$84.71 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$46.44
$92.89
premium
$4.93
$53.01
$106.01
diesel
$5.60
$60.22
$120.44
Estimated Tolls: $1.61
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(23 mi)$1.61
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
$42
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82
1
$28.69
$13.11
Efficient EV
68.3
0
$23.91
$10.93
EV Truck/SUV
109.3
1
$38.25
$17.48
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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 14, 2026
Origin
Jackson, IL
Night
in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
S 6 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 14 at 1:55AM CDT until August 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued August 14 at 1:38AM CDT until August 14 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Wheaton, IL
Night
in Wheaton on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 14 at 1:55AM CDT until August 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued August 14 at 1:38AM CDT until August 14 at 4:45AM CDT by NWS Lincoln 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
5 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 51m 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.
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 244.9
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 77% of this 273.2-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 128.3 miles, which occurs on I 57. After this, you'll transition to IL 33 and Veterans Memorial Tollway, which will feel more like surface roads with potentially more local traffic and exits. Expect a good amount of cruising on I 57 before reaching these sections.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.3 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 33. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 50 Business.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 273.2 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 50 Business): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 216.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 268.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 51m. Total distance: 273.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.3 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.61 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.
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 0.1 miles (US 50 Business): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 216.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 268.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wheaton, IL before the return drive.
