If you are planning to travel from Roxana to Chicago, prepare for a 280.3-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 32 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best approached as a focused one-day trip rather than a leisurely multi-day excursion. You should budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest locations. While the drive is manageable in a single stretch, the local nature of the roads means you will need to stay alert behind the wheel. Given the pace and the duration, fitting in at least one planned stop will help you stay refreshed before arriving at your destination.
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
139.9 miles from Roxana, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
256.4 mi
4h 43m
State Route 140
9.7 mi
13m
Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi
4m
West Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi
3m
Vaughn Road
1.7 mi
3m
North Central Avenue
1 mi
1m
North Bellwood Drive
0.9 mi
1m
West Cermak Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 256.4 mi, about 4h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roxana, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on this road
52 ft·4 sec·this road
2
Turn right
46 ft·6 sec
3
Turn left onto East Tydeman Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·East Tydeman Street
4
Turn right onto IL 111
1.0 mi·1 min·North Central Avenue
5
Continue on IL 111
1.7 mi·3 min·Vaughn Road
6
Continue on IL 111
0.7 mi·1 min·South Bellwood Drive
7
Continue on IL 111
0.9 mi·1 min·North Bellwood Drive
8
Turn right onto IL 140
1.8 mi·3 min·West Bethalto Drive
9
Continue on IL 140
9.6 mi·13 min·State Route 140
10
Continue on IL 140
0.8 mi·1 min·West State Street
11
Continue on IL 140
443 ft·13 sec·State Route 140
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
13
Merge onto I 55
97 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 55
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi·4 min·Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 290Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward Damen AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft·12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen AvenueUse the left lane.
20
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·South Damen Avenue
21
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Blue Island Avenue
22
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West Cermak Road
23
Turn right
152 ft·11 sec
24
Turn right
0.2 mi·58 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this route relies entirely on local roads, avoid rushing your departure; plan your exit from Roxana to account for the slower pace of local traffic. With 280.3 miles of turn-heavy driving, you should proactively map out your single stop to ensure you have a safe place to pull over and stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as local routes can sometimes result in inconsistent access to stations compared to major interstates. Since the entire journey is local, take advantage of the flexibility to adjust your route if you encounter unexpected traffic on North Central Avenue or Vaughn Road. Prioritizing a steady pace will make the 4-hour and 32-minute transit much more comfortable.
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 139.9 miles from Roxana, IL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 256.4 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 62 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.9 miles or 2h 40m 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 21m
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 Roxana, 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 Roxana, IL
This is one driving day of about 279.9 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Roxana, 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 256.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 113.7 and 277.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
113.7 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
143 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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
277 mi into trip|~5h 16m 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
277.2 mi into trip|~5h 16m 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
277.5 mi into trip|~5h 17m 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
$43.76 one way
$87.52 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$48.05
$96.09
premium
$4.89
$53.86
$107.73
diesel
$5.61
$61.80
$123.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84
1
$29.39
$13.44
Efficient EV
70
0
$24.49
$11.20
EV Truck/SUV
112
1
$39.19
$17.91
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 18, 2026
Origin
Roxana, IL
Late night
in Roxana on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chicago, IL
Late night
in Chicago on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 15 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 1:54AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 1:33AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
68°F
Bloomington, IL
140 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
5h 23m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a unique experience on this route, as it lacks the typical interstate grind, featuring 0% highway travel. Instead, you will navigate via local thoroughfares including East Tydeman Street, North Central Avenue, and Vaughn Road. The drive is characterized by frequent turns rather than long, straightaways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 0 miles on East Tydeman Street. This configuration requires your full attention, as the road conditions demand constant engagement rather than highway cruising. You will find that the personality of this drive remains technical and local from start to finish, offering a departure from standard high-speed travel.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 256.4 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and State Route 140. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 113.7 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 13 significant decision points across 279.9 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 113.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 143 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 277 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
772 ft443 ft
Total Climb
545 ft
Total Descent
400 ft
Highest Point
772 ft
~159.9 mi in
Elevation Range
330 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 Roxana, IL to Chicago, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
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 5h 23m. Total distance: 279.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 256.4 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 113.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 143 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 277 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chicago, IL before the return drive.
