Roodhouse to Chicago is 252.7 miles and takes about 4h 46m via I 55 and I 72, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, for its entirety. Expect a primarily highway-focused experience for this relatively short, single-day trip. It's a straightforward path that's easy to navigate for a quick transition from rural to urban.
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
126.4 miles from Roodhouse, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
180.2 mi
3h 20m
I 72
50.5 mi
54m
Main Street
11.9 mi
13m
Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi
4m
1440 E
2.3 mi
2m
West Cermak Road
0.8 mi
1m
South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
North State Street
0.7 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 180.2 mi, about 3h 20m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,689 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,115
Quietest
2 AM
~152 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Roodhouse, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on Worcester Street
67 ft·8 sec·Worcester Street
2
Turn left onto CR 2
479 ft·18 sec·West Palm Street
3
Turn right onto US 67
0.7 mi·44 sec·North State Street
4
Continue on US 67
2.3 mi·2 min·1440 E
5
Continue on US 67
12 mi·13 min·Main Street
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 72 East: Quincy
7
Merge onto I 72; US 36
51 mi·54 min·I 72; US 36
8
Continue on I 55
20 mi·21 min·I 55
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi·4 min·Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 290Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward Damen AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft·12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen AvenueUse the left lane.
15
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·South Damen Avenue
16
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Blue Island Avenue
17
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West Cermak Road
18
Turn right
152 ft·11 sec
19
Turn right
0.2 mi·58 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 46m duration, starting in the morning will give you ample time to reach Chicago before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch on I 55 is quite substantial. It's advisable to fill up before embarking on that 180.2-mile segment to avoid any potential concern.
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 126.4 miles from Roodhouse, IL, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.2 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 56 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.4 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 50m
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 Roodhouse, 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 Roodhouse, IL
This is one driving day of about 252.7 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Roodhouse, 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 180.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 86.5 and 250.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
86.5 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
115.9 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
249.9 mi into trip|~4h 39m 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
250 mi into trip|~4h 39m 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
250.3 mi into trip|~4h 40m 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
$37.32 one way
$74.64 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$41.20
$82.40
premium
$4.72
$46.92
$93.84
diesel
$4.80
$47.71
$95.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.8
0
$26.53
$12.13
Efficient EV
63.2
0
$22.11
$10.11
EV Truck/SUV
101.1
1
$35.38
$16.17
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Roodhouse, IL
Late night
in Roodhouse on Monday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Clear
W 6 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Destination
Chicago, IL
Late night
in Chicago on Monday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
WSW 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 3:50AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 3:04AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
85°F
Bloomington, IL
126 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
4 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
4h 46m 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 52.3
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 253
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the route on major highways. You'll spend most of your time on I 55 and I 72, which means you'll be covering ground efficiently. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 180.2 miles on I 55. Be prepared for a consistent driving pace on these interstates, with fewer opportunities for spontaneous scenic detours.
93% 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: 180.2 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 86.5 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 12 significant decision points across 252.7 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 86.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249.9 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
826 ft554 ft
Total Climb
443 ft
Total Descent
509 ft
Highest Point
826 ft
~126.4 mi in
Elevation Range
272 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Roodhouse, IL to Chicago, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
115.9 mi in|~2h 6m|via I 55
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 4h 46m. Total distance: 252.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 180.2 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 86.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249.9 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Chicago, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
