This 183-mile journey from Mattoon, IL to Chicago, IL is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just under 3 hours to complete. You'll mainly navigate via North 15th Street and Charleston Avenue before merging onto I-57 North for the bulk of your drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, this route is budget-friendly for a drive within the Midwest. The route profile is described as 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting you'll encounter numerous intersections and local road segments rather than continuous highway. This makes it a practical option for a straightforward drive between these two Illinois cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
91.3 miles from Mattoon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
168.9 mi
3h 6m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.2 mi
8m
Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi
4m
Charleston Avenue
2.8 mi
5m
West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
<1m
South Canalport Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
<1m
North 15th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 168.9 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mattoon, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on this road
115 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto North 15th Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·North 15th Street
3
Turn left onto IL 16
2.8 mi·5 min·Charleston Avenue
4
Turn right
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
5
Merge onto I 57
169 mi·3 hr 6 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
6.2 mi·8 min·Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 53AToward Canalport Avenue, Cermak RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
243 ft·6 sec·South Ruble Street
10
Turn slight left
75 ft·4 sec
11
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
0.2 mi·26 sec·South Canalport Avenue
12
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Halsted Street
13
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi·24 sec·West Cermak Road
14
Turn left
152 ft·11 sec
15
Turn right
0.2 mi·58 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a driving time of around 2 hours and 51 minutes, this 183-mile route from Mattoon to Chicago is perfect for a single-day excursion, offering plenty of flexibility. Aim to depart Mattoon in the morning to avoid potential Chicago traffic later in the day. Since the fuel cost is estimated at a reasonable $28, you won't need to worry extensively about refueling stops. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, keep your navigation system readily accessible and be prepared for numerous turns and traffic signals, especially as you approach Chicago. One stop along the way should be sufficient for this relatively short trip.
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 91.3 miles from Mattoon, IL, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.9 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 40 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.3 miles or 1h 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 2h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chicago, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mattoon, 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 Mattoon, IL
This is one driving day of about 182.7 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Mattoon, 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 57 for about 168.9 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 0 and 181.6 — 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|North 15th Street
Turn right onto North 15th Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|IL 16 / Charleston Avenue
Turn left onto IL 16 / Charleston Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
3.2 mi into trip|~6m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
175.4 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...
8
181.6 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
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 53A
Toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.56 one way
$57.13 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$31.36
$62.72
premium
$4.89
$35.16
$70.32
diesel
$5.61
$40.34
$80.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.8
0
$19.18
$8.77
Efficient EV
45.7
0
$15.99
$7.31
EV Truck/SUV
73.1
0
$25.58
$11.69
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Mattoon, IL
Morning
in Mattoon on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chicago, IL
Morning
in Chicago on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
S 20 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 7:10PM CDT until April 17 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 7:09PM CDT until April 17 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Chicago 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
14 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
3h 29m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Pullman National Historical Park
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 170.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' experience for much of this 183-mile trip. While I-57 North offers some stretches of highway driving, the route's profile indicates a significant portion involves navigating local roads with frequent turns. There's a 0% highway share in terms of the overall road type, meaning much of your journey won't be on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy' nature implies you'll be making regular adjustments. This drive will likely feel more connected to the local landscape and communities rather than a fast-paced interstate cruise.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North 15th Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 29m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North 15th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (IL 16 / Charleston Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Chicago is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. "Stormy, Husky, Brawling / City of Big Shoulders," Chicago is a Heartland boomtown, its ethos defined by urban planner Daniel Burnham's immortal vision: "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." It is one of the world's great cities and the third largest city in the United States, behind only New York City and Los Angeles.
As the hub of the Midwest, Chicago is easy to find — its picturesque skyline calls across the waters of Lake Michigan, a first impression that soon reveals world-class museums of art and science, miles of sandy beaches, huge parks and public art, and perhaps the finest downtown collection of modern architecture in the world.
Top landmarks
•Willis Tower — skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois
•Art Institute of Chicago — art museum and school in Chicago, United States
•Wrigley Field — baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, USA; home venue of the Chicago Cubs
The longest stretch is about 168.9 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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 (North 15th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (IL 16 / Charleston Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Chicago, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
