This 237.6-mile journey from Marseilles, IL, to York, IL, is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 4 hours and 55 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-74 and I-39, with a brief section on South Main Street, the route maintains a highway-focused profile for about 71% of its length. With an estimated fuel cost of $37, this drive is a straightforward trip through the Midwest region. It's a manageable distance that allows for a full day of travel without needing to break it up, offering a practical option for those looking to cover ground efficiently within Illinois.
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
118.8 miles from Marseilles, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 74
80.9 mi
1h 27m
I 39
58.4 mi
1h 2m
South Main Street
30.4 mi
45m
Georgetown Road
29.6 mi
44m
I 80
18.3 mi
19m
US 51
7.6 mi
8m
East 150th Road
1.9 mi
7m
North State Street
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 74
— 80.9 mi, about 1h 27m
Traffic on I-39
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~749 veh/hr typical
· worst 941
Quietest
1 AM
~65 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 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 Marseilles, IL and York, IL.
1
Start on CH 15
0.1 mi·13 sec·Rutland Street
2
Continue on CH 15
0.7 mi·1 min·County Highway 15
3
Continue on CH 15
1.8 mi·3 min·East 24th Road
4
Continue on CH 15
0.6 mi·1 min·County Highway 15
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
6
Merge onto I 80
18 mi·19 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 79AToward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington
8
Merge onto I 39; US 51
58 mi·1 hr 2 min·I 39; US 51
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51
7.6 mi·8 min·US 51
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51
81 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 74; US 51
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, DecaturUse the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 150, IL 1
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
13
Turn straight onto US 150; IL 1
14 mi·20 min·Georgetown Road
14
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.9 mi·2 min·North State Street
15
Continue on US 150; IL 1
6.1 mi·9 min·Georgetown Road
16
Continue on US 150; IL 1
0.3 mi·28 sec·1575 E US 36
17
Continue on US 150; IL 1
10 mi·14 min·Georgetown Road
18
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.4 mi·3 min·IL Route 1
19
Turn right onto US 150; IL 1
512 ft·8 sec·West Elliot Street
20
Turn left onto US 150; IL 1
1.7 mi·2 min·North Central Avenue
21
Continue on IL 1
0.1 mi·11 sec·Vandalia Way
22
Turn straight onto IL 1
30 mi·45 min·South Main Street
23
Turn sharp left onto East 150th Road
1.9 mi·7 min·East 150th Road
24
Continue on West Broadway Street
0.2 mi·1 min·West Broadway Street
25
Turn left onto North York Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·North York Street
26
Arrive at destination
North York Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 55-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and take advantage of the 71% highway share for quicker travel. Factor in your one planned stop for fuel or a quick break; with the longest stretch being 80.9 miles, you won't need to stop excessively. The estimated fuel cost of $37 is a helpful guide for budgeting. A specific tip: keep an eye on your GPS as you transition from I-74 to I-39, as this is a key junction point where navigation can become critical.
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 118.8 miles from Marseilles, IL, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.9 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 52 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.8 miles or 2h 10m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near York, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Marseilles, 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 Marseilles, IL
This is one driving day of about 237.6 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Marseilles, 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 74 for about 80.9 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 169.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Moline, Rock Island
6
21.8 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 79A
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Normal, Bloomin...
6
80.7 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|US 51
Keep slight right at fork onto US 51 toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champaign, Saint Louis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 South, US 51 South: Peoria, Champai...
8
88.3 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|I 74; US 51
Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51 toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business N...
7
169.4 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.09 one way
$70.18 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.74
$77.47
premium
$4.72
$44.12
$88.23
diesel
$4.80
$44.86
$89.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.3
0
$24.95
$11.40
Efficient EV
59.4
0
$20.79
$9.50
EV Truck/SUV
95
1
$33.26
$15.21
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Marseilles, IL
Late night
in Marseilles on Monday
Local time
5:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
WNW 10 to 15 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:42AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
York, IL
Late night
in York on Monday
Local time
5:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 12 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:42AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 55m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 237.6-mile trip. With 71% of the route on highways, you'll experience efficient travel for the most part. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.9 miles, primarily on I-74, allowing for extended periods of consistent speed. While largely a highway experience, be prepared for the transition onto local roads like South Main Street as you approach your destination. This blend means you'll spend most of your time on the interstate, but the final leg might offer a change of pace.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.9 mi on I 74.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 74 and I 39. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 237.6 miles you will encounter 11 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 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.7 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
797 ft451 ft
Total Climb
383 ft
Total Descent
449 ft
Highest Point
797 ft
~101.8 mi in
Elevation Range
345 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Marseilles, IL and York, IL, road signs point toward Bloomington, Champaign, Saint Louis and Decatur.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 237.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.9 miles on I 74. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 York, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.7 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at York, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
