This 309.6-mile drive from New Athens, Illinois, to Chicago, Illinois, is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can comfortably be completed in about 6 hours. With a highway share of 94%, you'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a solid choice for a single-day journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $47, which is quite manageable. This route stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel as you travel north. It's a practical option if you're looking to get from point A to point B efficiently 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
154.8 miles from New Athens, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
271.4 mi
4h 59m
IL 13
15.2 mi
23m
North Illinois Street
9.8 mi
15m
Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi
4m
Vandalia Street
2.8 mi
4m
South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
South Illinois Street
1 mi
1m
West Cermak Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 271.4 mi, about 4h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Athens, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on Chester Street
63 ft·8 sec·Chester Street
2
Turn left onto North Benton Street
0.5 mi·2 min·North Benton Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto South Van Buren Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·South Van Buren Street
4
Turn right
0.3 mi·43 sec
5
Turn straight onto IL 13
15 mi·23 min·IL 13
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
7
Turn right onto IL 159
1.0 mi·1 min·South Illinois Street
8
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
177 ft·4 sec·North Illinois Street
9
Continue on IL 159
9.8 mi·15 min·North Illinois Street
10
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi·1 min·South Morrison Avenue
11
Continue on IL 159
2.8 mi·4 min·Vandalia Street
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
13
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
3.8 mi·4 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
130 mi·2 hr 27 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi·4 min·Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 290Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward Damen AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft·12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen AvenueUse the left lane.
21
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·South Damen Avenue
22
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Blue Island Avenue
23
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West Cermak Road
24
Turn right
152 ft·11 sec
25
Turn right
0.2 mi·58 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, starting your drive from New Athens early in the morning is your best bet to avoid traffic, especially as you near Chicago. With only one recommended stop and a 271.4-mile stretch on I 55, plan your breaks strategically. Consider stopping midway through that long stretch for fuel and to stretch your legs. The estimated fuel cost is $47, so factor that into your budget. This route is well-suited for a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could split it with an overnight stay, though it's not strictly necessary.
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 154.8 miles from New Athens, IL, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 271.4 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 68 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.8 miles or 3h 5m 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 56m
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 New Athens, 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 New Athens, IL
This is one driving day of about 309.6 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from New Athens, 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 55 for about 271.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 143.4 and 307.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
143.4 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
172.7 mi into trip|~3h 24m in|I 55
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
8
306.7 mi into trip|~5h 57m in
Take the exit toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
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 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
8
306.9 mi into trip|~5h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Damen Avenue
9
307.2 mi into trip|~5h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.40 one way
$96.80 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$53.14
$106.29
premium
$4.89
$59.58
$119.16
diesel
$5.61
$68.36
$136.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.9
1
$32.51
$14.86
Efficient EV
77.4
0
$27.09
$12.38
EV Truck/SUV
123.8
1
$43.34
$19.81
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
New Athens, IL
Morning
in New Athens on Tuesday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chicago, IL
Morning
in Chicago on Tuesday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
7 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 4m 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.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 117.4
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 309.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 309.6-mile journey, with 94% of the drive taking place on major roads like I 55. The majority of your travel will be on I 55, including a significant uninterrupted stretch of 271.4 miles. This means long periods of consistent driving, allowing you to maintain a steady pace. While the primary roads are interstates, you'll encounter some local street driving, particularly North Illinois Street, as you approach your destination in Chicago.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 271.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 143.4 miles in near I 55.
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 16 significant decision points across 309.6 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 143.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
772 ft395 ft
Total Climb
772 ft
Total Descent
578 ft
Highest Point
772 ft
~176.9 mi in
Elevation Range
377 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New Athens, IL and Chicago, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 4m. Total distance: 309.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 271.4 miles on I 55. 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 Chicago, 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 143.4 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 306.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chicago, IL before the return drive.
