Wood River, IL to York, IL is 160 miles and takes about 3 hours 16 minutes via I 70 and I 270, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused trip entirely within the Midwest region of Illinois. Expect a drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently, making it a solid choice for a single-day excursion. If you're looking for a quick transit between these two points with minimal fuss, this route fits the bill.
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
80.1 miles from Wood River, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
120 mi
2h 9m
East Angling Road
13.7 mi
24m
I 270
7.3 mi
8m
IL 255
5.6 mi
6m
IL 1
3.3 mi
5m
North York Street
2 mi
3m
East 150th Road
1.9 mi
7m
Madison Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 120 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wood River, IL and York, IL.
1
Start on East Ferguson Avenue
164 ft·12 sec·East Ferguson Avenue
2
Turn left onto South Wood River Avenue
329 ft·16 sec·South Wood River Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto IL 143
1.3 mi·2 min·Madison Avenue
4
Continue on IL 143
1.3 mi·1 min·East Edwardsville Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward IL 255 South
6
Merge onto IL 255
5.6 mi·6 min·IL 255
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 30Toward I 270: Indianapolis, Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 East: Indianapolis
9
Keep slight right at fork
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 270 East: Indianapolis
10
Merge onto I 270
7.3 mi·8 min·I 270
11
Merge onto I 70
83 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 70
Toward I 70 East: Indianapolis
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
37 mi·39 min·I 70
Toward I 70 East: Indianapolis
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward Martinsville
14
Turn right onto North Cleone Road
0.6 mi·1 min·North Cleone Road
15
Continue on North York Street
1.9 mi·3 min·North York Street
16
Continue on East Angling Road
4.8 mi·8 min·East Angling Road
17
Continue on East Angling Road
9.0 mi·15 min·East Angling Road
18
Turn right onto IL 1
3.3 mi·5 min·IL 1
19
Turn sharp left onto East 150th Road
1.9 mi·7 min·East 150th Road
20
Continue on West Broadway Street
0.2 mi·1 min·West Broadway Street
21
Turn left onto North York Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·North York Street
22
Arrive at destination
North York Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 16 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan to leave Wood River early to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you anticipate any minor delays. With a fuel cost estimated at $25, it's wise to ensure your tank is full before heading out, as the longest stretch on I 70 is 120 miles. While there's only one recommended stop, keep an eye out for official rest areas along I 70 for any necessary breaks.
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 80.1 miles from Wood River, IL, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.1 miles or 1h 30m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near York, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wood River, 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 Wood River, IL
This is one driving day of about 160.1 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Wood River, 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 70 for about 120 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 9.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|IL 143 / Madison Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto IL 143 / Madison Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
3.1 mi into trip|~5m in|IL 255
Merge onto IL 255
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
8.7 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward I 270: Indianapolis, Kansas City
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 30
Toward I 270: Indianapolis, Kansas City
5
8.9 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 270 East: Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 270 East: Indianapolis
5
9.5 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 270 East: Indianapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 270 East: Indianapolis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.03 one way
$50.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$27.48
$54.96
premium
$4.89
$30.81
$61.62
diesel
$5.61
$35.35
$70.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48
0
$16.81
$7.68
Efficient EV
40
0
$14.01
$6.40
EV Truck/SUV
64
0
$22.41
$10.25
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 20, 2026
Origin
Wood River, IL
Late night
in Wood River on Tuesday
Local time
3:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
York, IL
Late night
in York on Tuesday
Local time
3:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°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
3 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 16m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 85% of the journey taking place on major interstates like I 70 and I 270. You'll experience a 120-mile stretch on I 70 without significant interruptions, allowing for consistent speed. While the majority is interstate, there are brief transitions onto roads like East Angling Road, offering a slight change of pace before rejoining the main highways. The overall feel is one of efficient travel, designed for covering ground.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 120 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and East Angling Road. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near IL 143 / Madison Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
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 160.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (IL 143 / Madison Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (IL 255): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 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.
Between Wood River, IL and York, IL, road signs point toward Kansas City and Martinsville.
Kansas City
8.7 mi in|~11m
Martinsville
137.9 mi in|~2h 33m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 160.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m 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 120 miles on I 70. 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 York, 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 0.1 miles (IL 143 / Madison Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (IL 255): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at York, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
