Rail Splitter Rest Area - Southbound
0 mi from route
Trip from Wheaton, IL to Kingston, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 24m
Distance
274 mi
441 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 11m
★
6 AM
5h 24m
8 AM
5h 51m
10 AM
5h 34m
12 PM
5h 31m
3 PM
5h 35m
5 PM
5h 50m
8 PM
5h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wheaton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Kingston, IL
Nicolas Foster
Trip Overview
Wheaton, IL to Kingston, IL is 274 miles and takes about 5h 24m via I 55 and I 72, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, primarily within Illinois, making it a straightforward drive. With over 90% of the route on highways, expect a consistent pace for most of the 5-hour journey. This option is best suited for travelers looking for an efficient way to cover the distance between these two Illinois locations without extensive detours.
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
137 miles from Wheaton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 170.7 mi | 3h 5m |
| I 72 | 77.3 mi | 1h 22m |
| South Naperville Road | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| East 2400th Street | 4.1 mi | 9m |
| Weber Road | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| Naper Boulevard | 3.5 mi | 7m |
| Twnshp 1700E | 3.2 mi | 7m |
| South Washington Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 170.7 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,743 veh/hr typical · worst 2,333
Quietest
2 AM
~157 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Wheaton, IL and Kingston, IL.
1
Start on West Wesley Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Wesley Street
2
Turn left onto North Wheaton Avenue
467 ft
·
28 sec
·
North Wheaton Avenue
3
Turn left onto West Front Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Front Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto IL 38
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Roosevelt Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto South Naperville Road
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
South Naperville Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on Naper Boulevard
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Naper Boulevard
8
Turn right onto Hobson Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Hobson Road
Use the left lane.
9
At end of road, turn left onto South Washington Street
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
South Washington Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Washington Street
11
Continue on Weber Road
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Weber Road
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 55 South: Bloomington
13
Merge onto I 55
106 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 55
Use the right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
77 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Barry
17
Turn right onto Township Road 1745E
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Township Road 1745E
18
Continue on Twnshp 1700E
3.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Twnshp 1700E
19
Continue on East 2400th Street
4.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East 2400th Street
20
Turn right onto North 400th Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North 400th Avenue
21
Turn left onto East 2500th Street
487 ft
·
23 sec
·
East 2500th Street
22
Turn right onto North 408th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North 408th Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
North 408th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive after morning rush hour in Wheaton could position you for arrival in Kingston by mid-afternoon, allowing ample time to settle in. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, which is convenient for a single-day trip, but plan to refuel before you leave Wheaton or during that single stop to manage the $41 fuel cost. The longest stretch of highway is 170.7 miles on I 55, so consider this segment for your primary break if needed. Since this is a predominantly highway drive, pay attention to exit numbers for any potential services.
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 137 miles from Wheaton, IL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.7 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 60 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137 miles or 2h 44m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingston, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wheaton, 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 Wheaton, IL
This is one driving day of about 274 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Wheaton, 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 170.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137 miles from Wheaton, 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 170.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rail Splitter Rest Area - Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Dixie Trucker's Home
0.1 mi from route
Funks Grove Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
2.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 187.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Front Street
Turn left onto West Front Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Main Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
IL 38 / East Roosevelt Road
Turn left onto IL 38 / East Roosevelt Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
122.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
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 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
6
187.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
|
I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.71 one way
$91.41 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $49.68 | $99.35 |
| premium | $5.26 | $56.73 | $113.46 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $66.66 | $133.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.2 | 1 | $28.77 | $13.15 |
| Efficient EV | 68.5 | 0 | $23.98 | $10.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.6 | 1 | $38.36 | $17.54 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Wheaton, IL
Morning in Wheaton on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Patchy Frost
N 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:22AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Kingston, IL
Morning in Kingston on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
E 0 to 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:22AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
53°F
Bloomington, IL
137 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
23 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
5h 24m 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 179.5
View on nps.gov
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 9.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, with 91% of the 274 miles on highways like I 55 and I 72. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 170.7 miles on I 55. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising before you transition to surface roads, specifically South Naperville Road, for the final leg of your trip. The high highway percentage suggests a generally open road feel with fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops until the very end.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.7 mi on I 55.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 72. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Front Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 274 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.2 miles (West Front Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (IL 38 / East Roosevelt Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
812 ft
529 ft
Total Climb
589 ft
Total Descent
533 ft
Highest Point
812 ft
~274 mi in
Elevation Range
283 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Wheaton, IL to Kingston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
122.5 mi in
|
~2h 28m
|
via I 55
About the Cities
Starting in Wheaton, IL
Full guide →Founded 1831
Wheaton is a suburban city of 53,000 people (2019) in Chicagoland.
Top landmarks
- • Old DuPage County Courthouse — former courthouse in Wheaton, Illinois
- • Trinity Episcopal Church — church building in Wheaton, United States of America
Arriving in Kingston, IL
Full guide →Founded 1835
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 5h 24m. Total distance: 274 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Kingston, 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Front Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (IL 38 / East Roosevelt Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument and Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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 Kingston, IL before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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