Naperville to Murphysboro is 346.2 miles and takes about 6h 33m via I 57, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a solid option for a single-day trip. The focus is on efficient travel between these two points, with minimal 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
173.1 miles from Naperville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
252.4 mi
4h 32m
Ken Gray Expressway
32.7 mi
35m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi
21m
Russell Street
11.3 mi
15m
I 80
10.6 mi
12m
Herrin Road
6.6 mi
9m
East Ogden Avenue
5 mi
10m
East Herrin Street
3.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 252.4 mi, about 4h 32m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,073 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,461
Quietest
2 AM
~180 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 99 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 Naperville, IL and Murphysboro, IL.
1
Start on North Washington Street
50 ft·9 sec·North Washington Street
2
Turn left onto US 34
5.0 mi·10 min·East Ogden Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 355 Toll South: JolietUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 355
19 mi·21 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 0AToward I 80 East: Indiana
6
Merge onto I 80
11 mi·12 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 151AToward I 57 South: Memphis
8
Merge onto I 57
187 mi·3 hr 21 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
33 mi·35 min·Ken Gray Expressway
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Johnston City, Herrin
12
Turn right onto Herrin Road
3.1 mi·4 min·Herrin Road
13
Continue on East Herrin Street
3.1 mi·5 min·East Herrin Street
14
Continue on Herrin Road
3.5 mi·5 min·Herrin Road
15
Enter roundabout onto Cambria Road
35 ft·0 sec·Cambria Road
16
Continue on Cambria Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Cambria Road
17
Turn left onto IL 149
11 mi·15 min·Russell Street
18
Turn left onto IL 13; IL 127; IL 149
0.9 mi·1 min·North 2nd Street
19
Turn right onto IL 127; IL 149
0.6 mi·1 min·Walnut Street
20
Turn right onto North 11th Street
65 ft·2 sec·North 11th Street
21
Arrive at destination
North 11th Street
Trip Plan
Consider an early morning departure from Naperville to maximize daylight, especially since this 6.5-hour drive is easily completed in one day. With one recommended stop, you can break up the drive as needed, perhaps around the halfway point. The longest stretch on I 57 is over 250 miles, so be sure to fuel up before you begin that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you get closer to Murphysboro, as services can become more spread out on the non-highway portions of the route.
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 173.1 miles from Naperville, IL, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252.4 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 76 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.1 miles or 3h 15m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murphysboro, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Naperville, 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 Naperville, IL
This is one driving day of about 346.2 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Naperville, 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 252.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 173.1 miles from Naperville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 252.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 25.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 34 / East Ogden Avenue
Turn left onto US 34 / East Ogden Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
5 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
5
5.2 mi into trip|~10m in|I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
24.4 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 0A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
5
25.7 mi into trip|~35m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.67 one way
$107.35 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$58.85
$117.71
premium
$4.93
$67.17
$134.34
diesel
$5.60
$76.31
$152.63
Estimated Tolls: $1.34
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.2 mi)$1.34
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.9
1
$36.35
$16.62
Efficient EV
86.6
0
$30.29
$13.85
EV Truck/SUV
138.5
1
$48.47
$22.16
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Aug 25, 2026
Origin
Naperville, IL
Late night
in Naperville on Wednesday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 24 at 9:28PM CDT until August 28 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 24 at 9:28PM CDT until August 31 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Murphysboro, IL
Late night
in Murphysboro on Wednesday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Cloudy
E 2 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 24 at 9:28PM CDT until August 28 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued August 24 at 9:28PM CDT until August 31 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln 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
5 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 33m 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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 35.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 85% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on I 57 covers 252.4 miles. You'll transition to surface roads for the final portion of the trip as you approach Murphysboro. Expect a steady cruising speed for the majority of the drive, with exits becoming more frequent closer to your destination.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 252.4 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 early in the drive near US 34 / East Ogden Avenue.
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 346.2 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: near the start (US 34 / East Ogden Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
754 ft417 ft
Total Climb
260 ft
Total Descent
551 ft
Highest Point
754 ft
~123.6 mi in
Elevation Range
337 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Naperville, IL and Murphysboro, IL, road signs point toward Johnston City and Herrin.
Naperville is a bedroom community in the Chicagoland area. In 2008, Money magazine ranked Naperville third on its list of the 100 best places to live in the United States.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 346.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 252.4 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.34 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Murphysboro, 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: near the start (US 34 / East Ogden Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway): 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Murphysboro, IL before the return drive.
