Truro, IL to Arlington Heights, IL is 178.6 miles and takes about 3h 52m via I 80, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Illinois, taking you from one part of the Midwest to another. It's a fairly direct trip, mostly on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. Consider this if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without much fuss.
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
89.3 miles from Truro, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
81.3 mi
1h 27m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi
24m
I 55
18.2 mi
21m
US 34
12 mi
17m
Southeast 2nd Street
10.6 mi
16m
Knox Highway 28
5.9 mi
14m
I 290
5.6 mi
6m
IL 180
5 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 81.3 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Truro, IL and Arlington Heights, IL.
1
Start on Knox Highway 28
5.9 mi·14 min·Knox Highway 28
2
Turn right onto IL 167
1.0 mi·1 min·IL 167
3
Turn left onto IL 180
5.0 mi·8 min·IL 180
4
Continue on IL 17
3.5 mi·5 min·IL 17
5
Continue on IL 17
0.5 mi·47 sec·South Center Avenue
6
Turn right onto US 34
11 mi·16 min·Southeast 2nd Street
7
Continue on US 34; IL 78
0.7 mi·1 min·South Main Street
8
Turn right onto US 34
0.5 mi·42 sec·East 2nd Street
9
Turn slight left onto US 34
1.3 mi·1 min·North East Street
10
Turn left onto US 34
12 mi·17 min·US 34
11
Turn right onto US 6; US 34
1.0 mi·1 min·West Railroad Street
12
Continue on US 6; US 34
0.3 mi·29 sec·North Mason Street
13
Continue on US 6; US 34
2.5 mi·3 min·County Road 1500 N
14
Turn left onto IL 40
1.4 mi·2 min·IL 40
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
16
Merge onto I 80
81 mi·1 hr 27 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 126BToward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the right lane.
18
Merge onto I 55
18 mi·21 min·I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 269Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest SuburbsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
21
Merge onto I 355
19 mi·24 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 290
5.6 mi·6 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
2.7 mi·3 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit CourtUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn slight right onto Euclid Avenue
2.5 mi·5 min·Euclid Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
East Euclid Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 52m estimated duration, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight and allow you to avoid the heaviest rush hour traffic into Arlington Heights. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate of $28, this trip is budget-friendly. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to the Chicago area, especially if you are traveling during peak commuting hours.
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 89.3 miles from Truro, IL, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.3 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 39 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.3 miles or 2h 3m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington Heights, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Truro, 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 Truro, IL
This is one driving day of about 178.6 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Truro, 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 80 for about 81.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 46.7 and 175.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
46.7 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
128 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
146.6 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
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 269
Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest...
6
173.1 mi into trip|~3h 42m in|IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
175.8 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit Court
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.
Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circ...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.92 one way
$55.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.66
$61.31
premium
$4.89
$34.37
$68.74
diesel
$5.61
$39.43
$78.87
Estimated Tolls: $1.35
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.2 mi)$1.35
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
$28
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.6
0
$18.75
$8.57
Efficient EV
44.7
0
$15.63
$7.14
EV Truck/SUV
71.4
0
$25.00
$11.43
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Truro, IL
Morning
in Truro on Sunday
Local time
9:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington Heights, IL
Morning
in Arlington Heights on Sunday
Local time
9:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Peru, IL
89 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
1 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
3h 52m 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
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 147.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive for 77% of its length. You'll spend a good amount of time on I 80, including one stretch of 81.3 miles. Expect a significant portion of your travel to be on major interstates like I 80, Veterans Memorial Tollway, and I 55. This means you'll encounter more dense exits and merging traffic as you approach your destination in the Chicago metropolitan area.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.3 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Veterans Memorial Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46.7 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort10/10
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 178.6 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 46.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 128 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Truro, IL to Arlington Heights, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Southwest Suburbs along the way.
Southwest Suburbs
146.6 mi in|~3h 8m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 178.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.3 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.35 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans Memorial 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 Arlington Heights, 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 46.7 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 128 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington Heights, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
