Murphysboro, IL to Berwyn, IL is 332.8 miles and takes about 6h 24m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the southern Midwest to the northern part of the state. Given its highway-focused profile and manageable duration, this route is best suited for a single-day journey. You'll primarily be on major interstates, making it a straightforward drive for those prioritizing efficiency. It's a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
166.4 miles from Murphysboro, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
178.5 mi
3h 11m
Ken Gray Expressway
104.1 mi
1h 52m
South Cicero Avenue
11.6 mi
18m
IL 149
11.3 mi
16m
Cicero Avenue
10.8 mi
17m
Herrin Road
6.8 mi
10m
West Herrin Street
3.1 mi
5m
West Cermak Road
2.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 178.5 mi, about 3h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Murphysboro, IL and Berwyn, IL.
1
Start on North 11th Street
65 ft·8 sec·North 11th Street
2
Turn left onto IL 149
0.5 mi·1 min·Walnut Street
3
Turn left onto IL 127; IL 149
0.9 mi·1 min·North 2nd Street
4
Turn right onto IL 149
11 mi·16 min·IL 149
5
Turn right onto Cambria Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Cambria Road
6
Enter roundabout onto Herrin Road
219 ft·4 sec·Herrin Road
7
Continue on Herrin Road
3.5 mi·5 min·Herrin Road
8
Continue on West Herrin Street
3.1 mi·5 min·West Herrin Street
9
Continue on Herrin Road
3.3 mi·4 min·Herrin Road
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
11
Merge onto I 57
37 mi·39 min·Ken Gray Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
179 mi·3 hr 11 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 342Toward Vollmer RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
522 ft·17 sec
Exit 342Toward Vollmer Road WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto CH B66
0.4 mi·39 sec·Vollmer Road
17
Turn left onto IL 50
11 mi·17 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on IL 50
12 mi·18 min·South Cicero Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto West Cermak Road
2.6 mi·5 min·West Cermak Road
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
West Cermak Road
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 24m estimated drive time, departing in the morning will allow you to arrive in Berwyn with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 178.5-mile stretch on I 57, as services can sometimes be spaced further apart on major highways. The $52 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to check current prices before you go. This is a very doable one-day trip, so you have flexibility in when you choose to depart.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 166.4 miles from Murphysboro, IL, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.5 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 73 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.4 miles or 3h 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 5h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Berwyn, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Murphysboro, 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 Murphysboro, IL
This is one driving day of about 332.8 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Murphysboro, 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 178.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.3 and 307.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
14.3 mi into trip|~21m in|Herrin Road
Enter roundabout onto Herrin Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
61.1 mi into trip|~1h 17m in|I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
128.6 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
307.1 mi into trip|~5h 41m in
Take the exit toward Vollmer Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 342
Toward Vollmer Road
9
307.4 mi into trip|~5h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Vollmer Road West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 342
Toward Vollmer Road West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.03 one way
$104.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$57.13
$114.25
premium
$4.89
$64.04
$128.09
diesel
$5.61
$73.48
$146.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.8
1
$34.94
$15.97
Efficient EV
83.2
0
$29.12
$13.31
EV Truck/SUV
133.1
1
$46.59
$21.30
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Murphysboro, IL
Late night
in Murphysboro on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Berwyn, IL
Late night
in Berwyn on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
12 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
6h 24m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 321.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is an 88% highway-focused drive, meaning you'll spend most of your time on fast-paced roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 178.5 miles on I 57, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. You'll also utilize the Ken Gray Expressway and South Cicero Avenue, which offer different, though still primarily road-based, driving experiences. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of the trip, characteristic of interstates designed for efficient travel across long distances.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 178.5 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.3 miles in near Herrin Road.
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 14 significant decision points across 332.8 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 14.3 miles (Herrin Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 61.1 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 128.6 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Murphysboro, IL to Berwyn, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Vollmer Road West along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 332.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 178.5 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.
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 Berwyn, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.3 miles (Herrin Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 61.1 miles (I 57 / Ken Gray Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 128.6 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Berwyn, IL before the return drive.
