Mendota, IL to York, IL is 231.6 miles and takes about 4h 47m via I 74 and I 39, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving you across the Midwest region. Given its mostly highway profile and single recommended day, this route is best suited for those looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward trip without many complex turns.
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
115.8 miles from Mendota, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 74
80.9 mi
1h 27m
I 39
71.2 mi
1h 16m
South Main Street
30.4 mi
45m
Georgetown Road
29.6 mi
44m
US 51
7.6 mi
8m
East 150th Road
1.9 mi
7m
North State Street
1.9 mi
2m
North Central Avenue
1.7 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
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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 Mendota, IL and York, IL.
1
Start on 7th Avenue
124 ft·7 sec·7th Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 34
403 ft·14 sec·6th Street
3
Turn left onto US 34
0.6 mi·51 sec·6th Avenue
4
Continue on US 34
1.0 mi·1 min·12th Street
5
Continue on US 34
1.5 mi·2 min·North 43rd Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: LaSalle, Peru
7
Merge onto I 39; US 51
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·I 39; US 51
8
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
9
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.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward US 150, IL 1
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
12
Turn straight onto US 150; IL 1
14 mi·20 min·Georgetown Road
13
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.9 mi·2 min·North State Street
14
Continue on US 150; IL 1
6.1 mi·9 min·Georgetown Road
15
Continue on US 150; IL 1
0.3 mi·28 sec·1575 E US 36
16
Continue on US 150; IL 1
10 mi·14 min·Georgetown Road
17
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.4 mi·3 min·IL Route 1
18
Turn right onto US 150; IL 1
512 ft·8 sec·West Elliot Street
19
Turn left onto US 150; IL 1
1.7 mi·2 min·North Central Avenue
20
Continue on IL 1
0.1 mi·11 sec·Vandalia Way
21
Turn straight onto IL 1
30 mi·45 min·South Main Street
22
Turn sharp left onto East 150th Road
1.9 mi·7 min·East 150th Road
23
Continue on West Broadway Street
0.2 mi·1 min·West Broadway Street
24
Turn left onto North York Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·North York Street
25
Arrive at destination
North York Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 47m duration, it's feasible to complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $41, planning your fuel and rest breaks around the 80.9-mile stretch on I 74 will help break up the drive efficiently. Since this is a relatively short, highway-focused route, you have the flexibility to adjust your timing as needed.
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 115.8 miles from Mendota, IL, or about 2h 6m 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 51 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.8 miles or 2h 6m 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 38m
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 Mendota, 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 Mendota, IL
This is one driving day of about 231.6 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Mendota, 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 0 and 163.4 — 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|US 34 / 6th Street
Turn right onto US 34 / 6th Street
Navigation decision point
6
3.2 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 39 South, US 51 South: LaSalle, Peru
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: LaSalle, Peru
6
74.7 mi into trip|~1h 21m 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
82.3 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
163.4 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
$34.20 one way
$68.40 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$37.76
$75.52
premium
$4.72
$43.00
$86.00
diesel
$4.80
$43.73
$87.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.5
0
$24.32
$11.12
Efficient EV
57.9
0
$20.27
$9.26
EV Truck/SUV
92.6
1
$32.42
$14.82
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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
Mendota, IL
Late night
in Mendota on Monday
Local time
5:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 10 to 15 mph51% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
York, IL
Late night
in York on Monday
Local time
5:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 12 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 10:43AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
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
4h 47m 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 to spend about 70% of your time on highways, covering a total of 231.6 miles. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 80.9 miles on I 74. You'll transition from interstates like I 39 and I 74 to surface roads, beginning with South Main Street in Mendota. Keep an eye out for frequent exit and entrance ramps as you navigate the interstate system.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
5/10
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 early in the drive near US 34 / 6th Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 231.6 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: near the start (US 34 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.7 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
216 ft
Total Descent
509 ft
Highest Point
797 ft
~82.7 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 Mendota, IL and York, IL, road signs point toward Champaign, Saint Louis and Decatur.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 231.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). 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 18 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.
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 (US 34 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.7 miles (US 51): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at York, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
