Park Ridge, IL to Jacksonville, IL is 238 miles and takes about 4h 30m via Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-55, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward drive that's almost entirely on major highways, making it a quick transit between these two points. With only one recommended stop and a highway share of 90%, this route is best suited for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
119 miles from Park Ridge, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,743 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,333
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 103 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 Jacksonville, 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
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 55
119 mi·2 hr 13 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
29 mi·30 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
14
Take the exit onto I 72 Business
0.4 mi·48 sec·I 72 Business
Toward I 72 Business West: Jacksonville
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 72 Business
431 ft·11 sec·I 72 Business
Toward I 72 Business West: Jacksonville
16
Turn right onto I 72 Business
0.6 mi·56 sec·Old Route 36
17
Continue on I 72 Business
2.5 mi·3 min·East Morton Avenue
18
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Main Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto South Central Park Plaza
33 ft·0 sec·South Central Park Plaza
20
Arrive at destination
South Central Park Plaza
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 30m duration, leaving Park Ridge in the morning will comfortably get you to Jacksonville with plenty of daylight remaining. You'll only need about one stop for this 238-mile journey, so plan it midway or when you feel the need. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach Jacksonville, as the highway share drops significantly in the final stretch, and fuel options may become less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $37, so ensure you have adequate funds or a working payment method for gas stations along I-55.
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 119 miles from Park Ridge, IL, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.4 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 52 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, 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 238 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 119.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.3 and 204.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
6
19.5 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 23
Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
7
20.1 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
8
140 mi into trip|~2h 41m 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
6
204.8 mi into trip|~3h 52m in|I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.70 one way
$79.40 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$43.15
$86.30
premium
$5.26
$49.28
$98.55
diesel
$6.18
$57.90
$115.80
Estimated Tolls: $1.05
Tri-state Tollway
(17.5 mi)$1.05
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
$40
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.4
0
$24.99
$11.42
Efficient EV
59.5
0
$20.83
$9.52
EV Truck/SUV
95.2
1
$33.32
$15.23
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Park Ridge, IL
Morning
in Park Ridge on Monday
Local time
7:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
SSW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Jacksonville, IL
Morning
in Jacksonville on Monday
Local time
7:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Clear
S 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
76°F
Bloomington, IL
119 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
6 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
4h 30m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 196.9
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 16.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 90% of this 238-mile trip on highways, with the longest stretch of continuous highway driving being 119.4 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This means for the majority of the drive, you'll be on a high-speed, limited-access road. As you get closer to Jacksonville, expect the character of the route to shift from dense highway exits to more rural cruising as you transition off the main interstate system.
90% 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: 119.4 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.3 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
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 17 significant decision points across 238 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 18.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
811 ft517 ft
Total Climb
419 ft
Total Descent
446 ft
Highest Point
811 ft
~136 mi in
Elevation Range
294 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Park Ridge, IL and Jacksonville, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis and Springfield.
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
Jacksonville is in western Illinois. It's a small town but packed with history, exuding an inexplicable charm captured in the eponymous song "Jacksonville" by Sufjan Stevens.
Top landmarks
•Jacksonville Historic District — historic district in Illinois, USA
•Morgan County Courthouse — local government building in the United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 238 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 119.4 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.05 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 27 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 Jacksonville, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.3 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Jacksonville, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
