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Trip from Schaumburg, IL to Washington, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 6m

Distance

146.6 mi

236 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 55m ★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Schaumburg, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Tazewell County, Illinois

Washington, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 146.6-mile drive from Schaumburg, IL, to Washington, IL, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes. Your journey will primarily utilize major expressways and highways, with about 70% of the route on these faster roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $23, making it an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll experience a consistent driving profile throughout the journey.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

73.3 miles from Schaumburg, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 82.3 mi 1h 31m
I 355 20.1 mi 25m
County Road 1000 North 11.8 mi 17m
East Gridley Road 9.2 mi 14m
East 3100 North Road 6.7 mi 9m
Eureka Road 3 mi 5m
South Roselle Road 2.3 mi 4m
East Center Street 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 82.3 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Schaumburg, IL and Washington, IL.

1

Start on North Pleasant Drive

426 ft · 20 sec · North Pleasant Drive
2

Turn right onto West Thacker Street

0.1 mi · 36 sec · West Thacker Street
3

Turn right onto North Roselle Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Roselle Road
4

Continue on South Roselle Road

2.3 mi · 4 min · South Roselle Road
5

Turn left

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward IL 390 East Toll Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto IL 390

1.8 mi · 2 min · Elgin-O'Hare Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 12 Toward I 290: Chicago, Rockford Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 290 East: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 290

0.6 mi · 43 sec · I 290
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 355

20 mi · 25 min · I 355
Exit 7 Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet Use the slight left lane.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South Use the slight left lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 55

82 mi · 1 hr 31 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec
Toward US 24: Chenoa, El Paso
16

At end of road, turn left onto US 24

6.7 mi · 9 min · East 3100 North Road
17

Continue on US 24

9.2 mi · 14 min · East Gridley Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Continue on US 24

12 mi · 17 min · County Road 1000 North
19

Continue on US 24

2.0 mi · 3 min · East Center Street
20

Continue on US 24

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US Highway 24
21

Turn left onto US 24 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · County Road 1200 East
22

Continue on US 24 Business

1.0 mi · 1 min · County Road 800 North
23

Continue on US 24 Business

3.0 mi · 5 min · Eureka Road
24

Continue on US 24 Business

1.0 mi · 1 min · Walnut Street
25

Enter roundabout onto US 24 Business

300 ft · 16 sec · Peoria Street
26

Continue on US 24 Business

153 ft · 7 sec · Peoria Street
27

Turn right

91 ft · 6 sec
28

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this 146.6-mile drive from Schaumburg to Washington is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, offering plenty of flexibility. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 82.3 miles, so plan for a brief stop before or after this segment if you prefer to break up longer driving periods. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's wise to ensure your tank is full before you leave Schaumburg, as services might be less frequent on certain highway sections. Keep an eye out for signage directing you onto County Road 1000 North as you approach your destination.

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 73.3 miles from Schaumburg, IL, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 32 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 73.3 miles or 1h 29m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Schaumburg, 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 Schaumburg, IL

This is one driving day of about 146.6 miles and 3h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Schaumburg, 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 82.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Joliet, IL

73 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Romeoville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Morris, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.3 miles from Schaumburg, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Tacochela Mexican Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Downers Grove, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.9

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+16304478226

Visit website

Kids Art & Play Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Schaumburg, Illinois

1.1 mi

Steven's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Woodridge, Illinois

1.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Shibam Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.5

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+12244487577

Visit website

Tacochela Mexican Restaurant and Catering

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.9

Downers Grove, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+16304478226

Visit website

Kids Art & Play Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv

Schaumburg, Illinois

Hours: Closed

+16305231101

Visit website

Steven's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.9

Woodridge, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16308109812

Visit website

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 31.4

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18155243248

Visit website

Nay Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.5

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16308683744

Visit website

El Barrio Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 31.4

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18153721100

Visit website

Sushi Ya

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 41.9

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18157303838

Visit website

Gio's Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 31.4

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18159053987

Visit website

Shibam Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.5

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+12244487577

Visit website

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 5.1 and 27.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
5.1 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward I 290: Chicago, Rockford

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 Toward I 290: Chicago, Rockford
7
5.8 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 290 East: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 290 East: Chicago
8
6.9 mi into trip | ~12m in | I 355

Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 7 Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
8
27 mi into trip | ~37m in

Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis

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 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
7
27.3 mi into trip | ~37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Joliet Road South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward Joliet Road South

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.92 one way

$45.84 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.16 $50.33
premium $4.89 $28.21 $56.42
diesel $5.61 $32.37 $64.73

Estimated Tolls: $0.12

Elgin-O'Hare Tollway (1.8 mi) $0.12

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

$23

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44 0 $15.39 $7.04
Efficient EV 36.7 0 $12.83 $5.86
EV Truck/SUV 58.6 0 $20.52 $9.38

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Schaumburg, IL

Late night in Schaumburg on Sunday

Local time

2:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Washington, IL

Late night in Washington on Sunday

Local time

2:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

21 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

3h 6m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

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...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 25.3
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 146.6-mile route, with 70% of your travel on expressways and interstates. You'll spend a significant amount of time on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, including an 82.3-mile stretch without interruption. While the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-355 offer consistent speeds, you'll also navigate some County Road sections, which might present a slight change in pace. The overall character is one of efficient travel, prioritizing getting you to your destination smoothly rather than offering winding scenic byways.

70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.3 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 355. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 146.6 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 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.9 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Schaumburg, IL and Washington, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and El Paso.

Saint Louis

27 mi in | ~37m

Joliet Road South

27.3 mi in | ~37m

El Paso

110 mi in | ~2h 10m

About the Cities

Starting in Schaumburg, IL

Full guide →

Schaumburg is a city in Chicagoland, best known for its ever popular Woodfield Mall, the largest mall in Illinois. Its name is derived from a place in Germany.

Arriving in Washington, IL

Full guide →

Washington is a city in Western Illinois, just east of Peoria and the Illinois River. It was founded in 1825. Washington is home to around 17,000 people (2016).

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 146.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 82.3 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.12 in tolls one way, starting with Elgin-O'Hare 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.

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 Washington, 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 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.9 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Washington, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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