Park Ridge, IL to Herrin, IL is 329.6 miles and takes about 6h 10m via I 57 and Tri-State Tollway, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive, making it a solid choice for a single-day excursion. Plan for a consistent pace as you head south through the state.
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
164.8 miles from Park Ridge, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
254.2 mi
4h 34m
Ken Gray Expressway
32.7 mi
35m
Tri-State Tollway
28.3 mi
35m
Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi
7m
Herrin Road
3.1 mi
4m
West Touhy Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
East Herrin Street
1.4 mi
2m
Mile-Long Bridge
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 254.2 mi, about 4h 34m
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 Park Ridge, IL and Herrin, IL.
1
Start on this road
24 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto North Greenwood Avenue
92 ft·6 sec·North Greenwood Avenue
3
Turn right onto West Touhy Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·West Touhy Avenue
4
Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road
184 ft·3 sec·South Des Plaines River Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 294 South: Indiana
6
Merge onto I 294
11 mi·14 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
10
Continue on I 294
8.5 mi·10 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 12 B-AToward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 12AToward IL 50 South: Cicero AvenueUse the straight lane.
13
Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83
4.9 mi·7 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto 167th Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·167th Street
Use the left lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
16
Merge onto I 57
188 mi·3 hr 23 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
33 mi·35 min·Ken Gray Expressway
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Johnston City, Herrin
20
Turn right onto Herrin Road
3.1 mi·4 min·Herrin Road
21
Continue on East Herrin Street
1.4 mi·2 min·East Herrin Street
22
Turn left onto IL 148
0.5 mi·54 sec·North Park Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
IL 148
Trip Plan
For this 6h 10m drive, leaving Park Ridge in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Herrin. Since the longest stretch is over 250 miles, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. With a fuel cost estimated at $52, keep an eye on your gauge, especially before heading out on the longer sections of I 57. Because this drive is achievable in a single day, you have flexibility; however, sticking to a schedule will ensure a relaxed arrival.
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 164.8 miles from Park Ridge, IL, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.2 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.8 miles or 3h 9m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Herrin, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Park Ridge, 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 Park Ridge, IL
This is one driving day of about 329.6 miles and 6h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Park Ridge, 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 254.2 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 and 37.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2 mi into trip|~4m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Merge onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
18.3 mi into trip|~24m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
31.2 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
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 12 B-A
Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th...
8
31.4 mi into trip|~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Exit 12A
Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
5
37.5 mi into trip|~51m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.98 one way
$109.96 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$59.76
$119.51
premium
$5.26
$68.24
$136.49
diesel
$6.18
$80.18
$160.36
Estimated Tolls: $1.70
Tri-state Tollway
(28.3 mi)$1.70
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
$55
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.9
1
$34.61
$15.82
Efficient EV
82.4
0
$28.84
$13.18
EV Truck/SUV
131.8
1
$46.14
$21.09
Gas CO2
115 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Park Ridge, IL
Late night
in Park Ridge on Monday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
SSW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Herrin, IL
Late night
in Herrin on Monday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Areas Of Frost
ESE 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
48°F
Charleston, IL
165 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
8 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 10m 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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 34.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 87% of this 329.6-mile route on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 254.2 miles on I 57. The transition from the Tri-State Tollway and Ken Gray Expressway to I 57 means you'll experience a significant amount of highway cruising. Expect a relatively uninterrupted drive for the majority of the trip before you transition to surface roads closer to Herrin.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 254.2 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 2 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
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 329.6 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 2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Park Ridge is a city in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicagoland, just outside of Chicago. It has a lively uptown area that has plenty of local businesses and restaurants. You can watch a film at the historic Pickwick Theatre or have a pool day at Centennial Park. Park Ridge is a great and accessible small town to escape to for a day trip, with lots of fun and exciting activities to fill your schedule.
Top landmarks
•Pickwick Theatre — movie theatre in Park Ridge, Illinois, United States
•Park Ridge Youth Campus — former school/orphanage in Park Ridge, Illinois
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 10m. Total distance: 329.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 254.2 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.70 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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.
Yes — we found about 45 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.
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 Herrin, 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. There are 45 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Herrin, IL before the return drive.
