Origin
Maryville, IL
Late night in Maryville on Sunday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 18m
Distance
281.3 mi
453 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maryville, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Elk Grove, IL
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Maryville, IL and Elk Grove, IL.
Start on East Main Street
Turn left onto IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on IL 83
Continue on IL 83
Turn right onto Touhy Avenue
Turn right onto IL 72
Turn right onto South Elmhurst Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 140.7 miles from Maryville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 259.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward IL 83: Kingery Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$43.98 one way
$87.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $48.29 | $96.57 |
| premium | $4.89 | $54.13 | $108.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.11 | $124.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Maryville on Sunday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Elk Grove on Sunday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
52°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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Peoria
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
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.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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