Traveling from Maryville to Elk Grove covers 281.3 miles across the Illinois landscape, typically taking about 5 hours and 18 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a more relaxed pace. Budgeting approximately $43 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. You will primarily stick to major thoroughfares, making this a straightforward transit through the Midwest. It is a practical, efficient route that serves as a direct connection between these two points in the state.
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
140.7 miles from Maryville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
259.5 mi
4h 43m
Kingery Highway
15.5 mi
23m
Busse Road
3.1 mi
5m
Touhy Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
Maryville Road
0.5 mi
<1m
S Center Street
0.4 mi
<1m
South Center Street
0.3 mi
<1m
East Higgins Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 259.5 mi, about 4h 43m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,633 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,039
Quietest
2 AM
~154 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.6×
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 Maryville, IL and Elk Grove, IL.
1
Start on East Main Street
175 ft·15 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto IL 159
0.3 mi·28 sec·South Center Street
3
Continue on IL 159
0.5 mi·42 sec·Maryville Road
4
Continue on IL 159
0.4 mi·33 sec·S Center Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
6
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
4.1 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
118 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 274Toward IL 83: Kingery RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road NorthUse the right lane.
13
Continue on IL 83
16 mi·23 min·Kingery Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on IL 83
3.1 mi·5 min·Busse Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Touhy Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Touhy Avenue
16
Turn right onto IL 72
0.1 mi·16 sec·East Higgins Road
17
Turn right onto South Elmhurst Road
349 ft·7 sec·South Elmhurst Road
18
Arrive at destination
South Elmhurst Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 18-minute duration, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential congestion, as the final segments on Kingery Highway and Busse Road can be busier than the open stretches of I-55. Since you are spending nearly the entire trip on the interstate, take advantage of the highway-heavy profile to maintain a steady pace, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the more rural stretches of I-55. Because this is a one-day trip, your primary flexibility lies in your departure time, so choose a window that minimizes your exposure to peak traffic near the Chicago suburbs.
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 140.7 miles from Maryville, IL, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 259.5 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 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.7 miles or 2h 32m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elk Grove, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Maryville, 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 Maryville, IL
This is one driving day of about 281.3 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Maryville, 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 259.5 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 113.4 and 261.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
113.4 mi into trip|~2h 3m 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
142.7 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
260.9 mi into trip|~4h 46m in
Take the exit toward IL 83: Kingery Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 274
Toward IL 83: Kingery Road
8
261.1 mi into trip|~4h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road
8
261.3 mi into trip|~4h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.54 one way
$83.08 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$45.86
$91.72
premium
$4.72
$52.23
$104.46
diesel
$4.80
$53.11
$106.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.4
1
$29.54
$13.50
Efficient EV
70.3
0
$24.61
$11.25
EV Truck/SUV
112.5
1
$39.38
$18.00
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Maryville, IL
Afternoon
in Maryville on Sunday
Local time
12:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
SW 6 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Elk Grove, IL
Afternoon
in Elk Grove on Sunday
Local time
12:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
WSW 5 to 10 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
85°F
Bloomington, IL
141 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 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 18m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 87.3
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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 261.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of your drive consists of high-speed travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time—specifically 259.5 miles—on I-55, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you transition off the interstate, the route shifts onto the Kingery Highway and Busse Road to reach your final destination. This is essentially a long-haul interstate grind, designed for steady speed rather than technical maneuvering. You should prepare for a consistent, high-speed environment for nearly the entire duration of your trip.
92% 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: 259.5 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Kingery Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 113.4 miles in near I 55.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 281.3 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 113.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
778 ft567 ft
Total Climb
455 ft
Total Descent
367 ft
Highest Point
778 ft
~160.8 mi in
Elevation Range
211 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 Maryville, IL to Elk Grove, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 281.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 259.5 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 Elk Grove, 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 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 113.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Elk Grove, IL before the return drive.
