Connecting Lombard to Belleville is a straightforward 284-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 23 minutes. Since this route remains entirely within Illinois, you will experience a consistent Midwestern landscape while traveling from the Chicago suburbs down toward the St. Louis metro area. Budgeting approximately $43 for fuel is a safe estimate for the trip. Given the duration, this drive is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Expect a practical, efficient transit that prioritizes speed and directness over detours.
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
142 miles from Lombard, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
142.7 mi
2h 34m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
111.5 mi
2h 2m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
11.5 mi
14m
North Illinois Street
9.3 mi
14m
Vandalia Street
3 mi
4m
West Roosevelt Road
1.3 mi
2m
South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
South Main Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 142.7 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lombard, IL and Belleville, IL.
1
Start on South Grace Street
0.3 mi·1 min·South Grace Street
2
Turn right onto East Madison Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Madison Street
3
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
4
Turn right onto IL 38
1.3 mi·2 min·West Roosevelt Road
5
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 355 Toll South: JolietUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 355
12 mi·14 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 12AToward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Joliet Road SouthUse the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 55
112 mi·2 hr 2 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 15AToward IL 159 South: Collinsville
14
Continue on IL 159
3.0 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
15
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
16
Continue on IL 159
9.3 mi·14 min·North Illinois Street
17
Turn left onto East F Street
59 ft·2 sec·East F Street
18
Arrive at destination
East F Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour drive, plan for at least one substantial stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Leaving early in the morning can help you bypass potential congestion as you transition out of the Lombard area and onto the busier sections of the tollway. Since the route is highway-heavy, keep a close eye on your cruise control and stay aware of changing traffic patterns along the I-55 corridor. Because this is a one-day trip, your schedule remains flexible; use that to your advantage by adjusting your departure time to avoid the heaviest regional traffic peaks. Keep your $43 fuel budget in mind, but always have a little extra set aside for convenient stops along the interstate.
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 142 miles from Lombard, IL, or about 2h 43m 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 62 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142 miles or 2h 43m 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 21m
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 Lombard, 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 Lombard, IL
This is one driving day of about 284 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Lombard, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 127.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.2 mi into trip|~7m in
Turn left toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
8
15.1 mi into trip|~23m 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
15.4 mi into trip|~23m 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
15.8 mi into trip|~24m 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
127.5 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
$44.40 one way
$88.80 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$48.75
$97.50
premium
$4.89
$54.65
$109.31
diesel
$5.61
$62.70
$125.41
Estimated Tolls: $0.81
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(11.5 mi)$0.81
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
$44
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.2
1
$29.82
$13.63
Efficient EV
71
0
$24.85
$11.36
EV Truck/SUV
113.6
1
$39.76
$18.18
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lombard, IL
Night
in Lombard on Saturday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Belleville, IL
Night
in Belleville on Saturday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
142 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
27 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 23m 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 186.1
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
~59 min detour
Free
near mile 9.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 90% of this trip is spent on major interstates. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-55, which serves as the backbone of your journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 142.7 miles, requiring you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. Because you are primarily utilizing the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and the Veterans Memorial Tollway, the route maintains a high-speed, consistent character. It is an ideal path for drivers who prefer a reliable, predictable commute rather than technical or winding local roads.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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 3.2 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 284 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 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
832 ft514 ft
Total Climb
427 ft
Total Descent
631 ft
Highest Point
832 ft
~118.5 mi in
Elevation Range
318 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lombard, IL and Belleville, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Springfield.
Lombard is a suburb of Chicago in Illinois and is considered part of Chicagoland. Lombard is a small town with a tight-knit community built around its high schools and the downtown Lombard culture. Residents of Lombard are very friendly and familial and willing to guide tourists to various locations in Chicago and Chicagoland.
Top landmarks
•First Church of Lombard — historic building in Lombard, IL, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 284 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 $0.81 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.4 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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.
