Spanning 289.9 miles across the Illinois landscape, this trip from Palatine to Alton is a manageable journey that takes approximately 5 hours and 34 minutes. Because the route consists entirely of local roads without any highway stretches, it is best suited as a dedicated day trip rather than a quick transit. You should budget about $44 for fuel to cover the distance. While the drive remains within the Midwest, the transition from the northern suburbs to the Alton area offers a significant change in scenery and pace. It is a straightforward trek for those who prefer local roads over the monotony of major interstates, providing a solid, uninterrupted day of driving.
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
145 miles from Palatine, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
127.4 mi
2h 17m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
111.5 mi
2h 2m
I 355
20.1 mi
25m
State Route 140
9.6 mi
13m
IL 53
7.9 mi
10m
College Avenue
3.9 mi
6m
East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
East MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 127.4 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palatine, IL and Alton, IL.
1
Start on East Palatine Road
73 ft·5 sec·East Palatine Road
2
Turn right onto US 14
0.3 mi·51 sec·East Northwest Highway
3
Turn right onto Hicks Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Hicks Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto Euclid Avenue
66 ft·1 sec·Euclid Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward IL 53 South
6
Merge onto IL 53
0.9 mi·1 min·IL 53
7
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
7.0 mi·9 min·IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
20 mi·25 min·I 355
Exit 7Toward I 355 South Tollway: JolietUse the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 12AToward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Joliet Road SouthUse the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 55
112 mi·2 hr 2 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
63 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
16
Turn right onto IL 140
0.7 mi·1 min·East State Street
17
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
18
Continue on IL 140
1.8 mi·3 min·East Bethalto Drive
19
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.4 mi·2 min·East MacArthur Drive
20
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
1.3 mi·2 min·West Macarthur Drive
21
Continue on IL 111; IL 140
3.6 mi·6 min·College Avenue
22
Enter roundabout onto College Avenue
397 ft·7 sec·College Avenue
23
Continue on College Avenue
0.3 mi·27 sec·College Avenue
24
Turn left onto US 67
0.9 mi·1 min·Martin Luther King Drive
25
Continue on US 67
0.4 mi·36 sec·Piasa Street
26
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·West 3rd Street
27
Turn right onto Alby Street
118 ft·5 sec·Alby Street
28
Arrive at destination
Alby Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 34-minute drive, plan to depart early in the morning to navigate local traffic effectively. Since the route includes at least one planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refresh your fuel supply, keeping your $44 budget in mind. Because this is a turn-heavy route, having a reliable GPS or map system active at all times is essential to avoid missing critical turns on the local roads. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so don't hesitate to pull over for a breather if the constant maneuvering becomes tiring. Focus on pacing yourself through the local segments to ensure you reach Alton feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.
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 145 miles from Palatine, IL, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.4 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 64 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145 miles or 2h 46m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alton, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Palatine, 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 Palatine, IL
This is one driving day of about 289.9 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Palatine, 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 127.4 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 142.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in|IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
8
9.7 mi into trip|~14m in|I 355
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
8
29.8 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
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 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
7
30.1 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Joliet Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Joliet Road South
8
142.2 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.32 one way
$90.65 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$49.76
$99.52
premium
$4.89
$55.79
$111.58
diesel
$5.61
$64.01
$128.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87
1
$30.44
$13.92
Efficient EV
72.5
0
$25.37
$11.60
EV Truck/SUV
116
1
$40.59
$18.55
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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 17, 2026
Origin
Palatine, IL
Night
in Palatine on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alton, IL
Night
in Alton on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 6 to 17 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 6:01AM CDT until April 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 5:49AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
52°F
Bloomington, IL
145 mi in
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
36 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
5h 34m 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.
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...
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...
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 that demands your full attention behind the wheel. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend the entire 289.9 miles navigating via East Northwest Highway, Hicks Road, and Euclid Avenue. This is not a route for mindless cruising, as the constant turns and local road transitions keep the experience engaging and technical. The character of the road is consistent, offering a steady, hands-on driving experience that differs sharply from the typical high-speed interstate grind. Be prepared for a winding, localized journey that requires you to stay alert through every intersection and turn.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near IL 53.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 289.9 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 2.7 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Palatine, IL and Alton, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South, Springfield and Greenville.
Alton is a charming river town in Illinois just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. Once a blue collar town of heavy manufacturing, Alton has transformed itself into a tourist destination and wedding and reception resort of the Midwest.
Top landmarks
•Alton National Cemetery — United States National Cemetery located in the city of Alton, in Madison County,...
•Alton Military Prison — prison located in Alton, Illinois
•Upper Alton Historic District — historic district in Illinois, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 34m. Total distance: 289.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.4 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 Alton, 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 2.7 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.8 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alton, IL before the return drive.
