Jacksonville, IL to Berwyn, IL is 228.3 miles and takes about 4h 19m via I 55 and I 72, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Illinois, making it a straightforward drive. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it’s a solid choice for a single-day trip. Plan for about 97% of your travel to be on major interstates. The fuel cost estimate is around $35, so keep that in mind when budgeting for your travels.
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
114.2 miles from Jacksonville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
176.9 mi
3h 16m
I 72
42.5 mi
46m
South Harlem Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
East Morton Avenue
2.5 mi
3m
Old Route 36
0.9 mi
1m
Riverside Drive
0.8 mi
1m
South Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
I 72 Business
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 176.9 mi, about 3h 16m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,689 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,115
Quietest
2 AM
~152 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
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 Jacksonville, IL and Berwyn, IL.
1
Start on South Central Park Plaza
159 ft·8 sec·South Central Park Plaza
2
Turn left onto South Mauvaisterre Street
378 ft·12 sec·South Mauvaisterre Street
3
Turn left onto North Central Park Plaza
383 ft·12 sec·North Central Park Plaza
4
Turn left onto North Sandy Street
377 ft·12 sec·North Sandy Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto South Central Park Plaza
189 ft·5 sec·South Central Park Plaza
6
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Main Street
7
Turn left onto I 72 Bus; IL 104
2.5 mi·3 min·East Morton Avenue
8
Continue on I 72 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·Old Route 36
9
Turn left onto I 72 Business
0.3 mi·39 sec·I 72 Business
10
Merge onto I 72; US 36
42 mi·46 min·I 72; US 36
11
Continue on I 55
20 mi·21 min·I 55
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
127 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 283Toward IL 43: Harlem AvenueUse the right lane.
15
Turn left onto IL 43
2.9 mi·5 min·South Harlem Avenue
16
Turn right onto Riverside Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Riverside Drive
17
Turn slight left onto Oak Park Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Oak Park Avenue
18
Turn left onto West Cermak Road
91 ft·1 sec·West Cermak Road
19
Arrive at destination
West Cermak Road
Trip Plan
This drive is best tackled in one day, so consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight. The longest stretch without a major road change is 176.9 miles on I 55, so plan your stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. With a total duration of around 4 hours and 19 minutes, you'll likely only need one significant break. Watch for the transition off I 55 to surface streets as you enter the Berwyn area. Your estimated fuel cost is $35, so ensure you have sufficient funds or plan your last refueling stop before getting too close to the city.
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 114.2 miles from Jacksonville, IL, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.9 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 50 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.2 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 29m
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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, IL
This is one driving day of about 228.3 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Jacksonville, 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 176.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 224.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Mauvaisterre Street
Turn left onto South Mauvaisterre Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|South Central Park Plaza
At end of road, turn left onto South Central Park Plaza
Navigation decision point
7
67.7 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
97.1 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
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 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
224.1 mi into trip|~4h 10m in
Take the exit toward IL 43: Harlem Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 283
Toward IL 43: Harlem Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.71 one way
$67.43 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$37.22
$74.44
premium
$4.72
$42.39
$84.78
diesel
$4.80
$43.11
$86.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.5
0
$23.97
$10.96
Efficient EV
57.1
0
$19.98
$9.13
EV Truck/SUV
91.3
1
$31.96
$14.61
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Jacksonville, IL
Late night
in Jacksonville on Sunday
Local time
5:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
W 12 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 12:23PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Berwyn, IL
Late night
in Berwyn on Sunday
Local time
5:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NW 10 to 15 mph67% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 12:23PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
85°F
Bloomington, IL
114 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 19m 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...
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
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 220.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend almost all of your time on the highway, with 97% of the 228.3 miles on interstates like I 55 and I 72. The longest continuous stretch on this route is 176.9 miles on I 55. You'll transition to surface roads, specifically South Harlem Avenue, as you approach your destination. Expect a lot of exits and potential for merging traffic as you get closer to the Chicago metropolitan area.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.9 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 72. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Mauvaisterre Street.
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 228.3 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (South Mauvaisterre Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Central Park Plaza): Navigation decision point; at 67.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
809 ft554 ft
Total Climb
537 ft
Total Descent
533 ft
Highest Point
809 ft
~97.9 mi in
Elevation Range
254 ft
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 Jacksonville, IL to Berwyn, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Jacksonville is in western Illinois. It's a small town but packed with history, exuding an inexplicable charm captured in the eponymous song "Jacksonville" by Sufjan Stevens.
Top landmarks
•Jacksonville Historic District — historic district in Illinois, USA
•Morgan County Courthouse — local government building in the United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 228.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m 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 176.9 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Mauvaisterre Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Central Park Plaza): Navigation decision point; at 67.7 miles (I 55): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Berwyn, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
