Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 27m
Distance
322.6 mi
519 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
57 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Preston, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Berwyn, IL
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Preston, IL to Berwyn, IL covers 322.6 miles and takes about 6h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, North Illinois Street, West Myrtle Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 268.1 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.81 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
161.3 miles from Preston, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 268.1 mi | 4h 55m |
| North Illinois Street | 9.8 mi | 15m |
| West Myrtle Street | 8.7 mi | 12m |
| South Main Street | 8.3 mi | 12m |
| North Main Street | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| State Route 159 | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| Baldwin Road | 5.2 mi | 12m |
| South Harlem Avenue | 2.9 mi | 5m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,681 veh/hr typical · worst 2,233
Quietest
2 AM
~156 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Preston, IL and Berwyn, IL.
Start on Pautler Road
Turn right onto Preston Road
Turn left onto Baldwin Road
Continue on South 5th Street
Turn left onto IL 154
Turn right onto IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Turn left onto IL 43
Turn right onto Riverside Drive
Turn slight left onto Oak Park Avenue
Turn left onto West Cermak Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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 71 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.3 miles or 3h 23m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Berwyn, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Preston, 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 Preston, IL
This is one driving day of about 322.6 miles and 6h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 161.3 miles from Preston, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 268.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 36 and 318.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Enter roundabout onto IL 159 / North Illinois Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward IL 43: Harlem Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$53.81 one way
$107.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $58.49 | $116.97 |
| premium | $5.26 | $66.79 | $133.59 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $78.48 | $156.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
EV Charging Along Route
57 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Springfield, IL - South Dirksen Parkway - Tesla Supercharger
Springfield, IL
16 DCFC
Shiloh, IL - Tesla Supercharger
Shiloh, IL
12 DCFC
Edwardsville, IL - Tesla Supercharger
Edwardsville, IL
12 DCFC
Springfield, IL Rechargery Relay - S Dirksen Pkwy
Springfield, IL
12 DCFC
Springfield, IL - West Jefferson Street - Tesla Supercharger
Springfield, IL
12 DCFC
Culvers Lincoln IL
Lincoln, IL
10 DCFC
Collinsville, IL - Tesla Supercharger
Collinsville, IL
8 DCFC
Springfield, IL - Tesla Supercharger
Springfield, IL
8 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.8 | 1 | $33.87 | $15.48 |
| Efficient EV | 80.7 | 0 | $28.23 | $12.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129 | 1 | $45.16 | $20.65 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Preston on Sunday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
31°F
Areas Of Frost
Destination
Late night in Berwyn on Sunday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
79°F
Springfield, IL
161 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
322.6 mi in 6h 27m, mostly highway — 268.1 mi of that is on I 55.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North Illinois Street. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 36 miles in near IL 159 / North Illinois Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 322.6 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 36 miles (IL 159 / North Illinois Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 54.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
574 ft
Total Descent
424 ft
Highest Point
766 ft
~210 mi in
Elevation Range
328 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Preston, IL and Berwyn, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Springfield
Kansas City
Peoria
Founded 1908
Berwyn is a city in the Chicagoland region of Illinois.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 27m. Total distance: 322.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Preston, IL or browse trips ending in Berwyn, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
