Trip from Winnetka, IL to Belleville, IL

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

Drive Time

5h 58m

Distance

309.2 mi

498 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

18 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

5h 46m ★

6 AM

5h 59m

8 AM

6h 24m

10 AM

6h 8m

12 PM

6h 5m

3 PM

6h 9m

5 PM

6h 23m

8 PM

5h 51m

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

Winnetka, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in and seat of St. Clair County, Illinois, United States

Belleville, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Winnetka, IL to Belleville, IL covers 309.2 miles and takes about 5h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 142.7 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.34 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

154.6 miles from Winnetka, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	142.7 mi	2h 34m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	119.4 mi	2h 13m
Tri-State Tollway	24.3 mi	30m
North Illinois Street	9.3 mi	14m
Willow Road	6.6 mi	12m
Vandalia Street	3 mi	4m
South Morrison Avenue	1.3 mi	1m
Locust Road	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 142.7 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Winnetka, IL and Belleville, IL.

Start on Pine Street

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Pine Street

Turn left onto Locust Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Locust Road

At end of road, turn right onto Willow Road

6.6 mi · 12 min · Willow Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 294

18 mi · 23 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 23 Toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 55

119 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

78 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec

Exit 15A Toward IL 159 South: Collinsville

Continue on IL 159

3.0 mi · 4 min · Vandalia Street

Continue on IL 159

1.3 mi · 1 min · South Morrison Avenue

Continue on IL 159

9.3 mi · 14 min · North Illinois Street

Turn left onto East F Street

59 ft · 2 sec · East F Street

Arrive at destination

East F Street

Trip Plan

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 154.6 miles from Winnetka, IL, or about 3h 4m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.7 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 68 miles or 1h 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 154.6 miles or 3h 4m 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 51m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Winnetka, 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 Winnetka, IL

This is one driving day of about 309.2 miles and 5h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Winnetka, 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 142.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

155 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 154.6 miles from Winnetka, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 142.7 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

RT 138 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mt Olive, Illinois

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 265.1

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12179992115

Visit website

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Romeoville, Illinois

1.6 mi

El Barrio Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Romeoville, Illinois

2.4 mi

RT 138 Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 265.1

Mt Olive, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12179992115

Visit website

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 44.2

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–9 pm

+18155243248

Visit website

El Barrio Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 44.2

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18153721100

Visit website

Cafe Fontana

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 110.4

Pontiac, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+18154192011

Visit website

Gio's Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 44.2

Romeoville, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+18159053987

Visit website

Wasabi Sushi Bar

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 287.1

Edwardsville, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+16186559880

Visit website

Pizza Ranch

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 220.9

Springfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12176798844

Visit website

Twisted Anchor

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 66.3

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+18159262300

Visit website

Brick & Ivy Coffee Co.

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 66.3

Channahon, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12176638389

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 176.7

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12177354444

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 154.6

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13096641222

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 154.6

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 132.5

Lexington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18003658202

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 154.6

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 154.6

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–12 pm

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 176.7

Lincoln, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

1.9 mi from 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 0.8 and 217.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | Willow Road

At end of road, turn right onto Willow Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

7.4 mi into trip | ~14m in

Turn left toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana

32.8 mi into trip | ~47m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

152.7 mi into trip | ~3h 2m 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

217.5 mi into trip | ~4h 12m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.34 one way

$96.68 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$53.08	$106.15
premium	$4.89	$59.50	$119.01
diesel	$5.61	$68.27	$136.53

Estimated Tolls: $1.45

Tri-state Tollway (24.3 mi) $1.45

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

$48

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

18 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

1800 Maple Self Park Garage - Tesla Supercharger

Evanston, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Abt Electronics - Tesla Supercharger

Glenview, IL

Tesla

10 DCFC

Willow Festival - Tesla Supercharger

Northbrook, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Westfield Old Orchard (Skokie, IL)

Skokie, IL

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Golf Mill Ford

Niles, IL

EVXY

6 DCFC

NorthWest Electric

Mount Prospect, IL

NOODOE

4 DCFC

Golf Mill Chevrolet

Niles, IL

EVXY

4 DCFC

Metropolitan Square

Des Plaines, IL

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Tesla: 4 eVgo Network: 3 Electrify America: 2 Non-Networked: 2 EVXY: 2 ChargePoint Network: 1 EV Connect: 1 NOODOE: 1 Blink Network: 1 IN_CHARGE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	92.8	1	$32.47	$14.84
Efficient EV	77.3	0	$27.05	$12.37
EV Truck/SUV	123.7	1	$43.29	$19.79

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Winnetka, IL

Morning in Winnetka on Sunday

Local time

9:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Belleville, IL

Morning in Belleville on Sunday

Local time

9:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Bloomington, IL

155 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

9 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 58m 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...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 213.3

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...

16 mi from route ~41 min detour Free near mile 32

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

309.2 mi in 5h 58m, mostly highway — 142.7 mi of that is on I 55.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 142.7 mi on I 55.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near Willow Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

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 309.2 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 0.8 miles (Willow Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.8 miles: 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 Winnetka, IL and Belleville, IL, road signs point toward St. Louis and Springfield.

St. Louis

32.2 mi in | ~46m

Springfield

152.7 mi in | ~3h 2m | via I 55

About the Cities

Arriving in Belleville, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1814

Belleville is a city in Illinois.

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 58m. Total distance: 309.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 142.7 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.45 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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 Belleville, 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Belleville, 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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