Woodridge, IL to East Saint Louis, IL is 272 miles and takes about 5 hours 1 minute via I 55 and Veterans Memorial Tollway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays entirely within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward drive dominated by highway travel. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct trip with minimal navigation challenges. Given the relatively short duration, it's easily manageable as a single-day excursion.
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
136 miles from Woodridge, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
154.1 mi
2h 47m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
111.5 mi
2h 2m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
2.5 mi
3m
North 9th Street
1 mi
1m
75th Street
0.8 mi
1m
Woodridge Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Exchange Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
North 10th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 154.1 mi, about 2h 47m
Traffic on I-55
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,778 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,331
Quietest
2 AM
~165 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Woodridge, IL and East Saint Louis, IL.
1
Start on Woodridge Drive
0.2 mi·46 sec·Woodridge Drive
2
Turn right onto 75th Street
0.8 mi·1 min·75th Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 355 Toll South: JolietUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 355
2.5 mi·3 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 12AToward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward Joliet Road SouthUse the slight left lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 55
112 mi·2 hr 2 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
89 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
248 ft·6 sec·I 70
Exit 3B; 3CToward I 70 West: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 3CToward Exchange AvenueUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto Exchange Avenue
0.2 mi·30 sec·Exchange Avenue
14
Turn right onto North 9th Street
0.2 mi·14 sec·North 9th Street
15
Enter roundabout onto North 9th Street
118 ft·1 sec·North 9th Street
16
Continue on North 9th Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·North 9th Street
17
Enter roundabout onto North 9th Street
127 ft·2 sec·North 9th Street
18
Continue on North 9th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North 9th Street
19
Turn left onto Saint Louis Avenue
366 ft·15 sec·Saint Louis Avenue
20
Turn left onto North 10th Street
0.1 mi·9 sec·North 10th Street
21
Arrive at destination
0 ft·North 10th Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The longest stretch without an exit is over 150 miles on I 55, so make sure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 154-mile mark on I 55, as services might be less frequent in that particular stretch.
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 136 miles from Woodridge, IL, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.1 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 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136 miles or 2h 31m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Saint Louis, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Woodridge, 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 Woodridge, IL
This is one driving day of about 272 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Woodridge, 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 154.1 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 270.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.9 mi into trip|~6m 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
4.2 mi into trip|~6m 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
8
116.2 mi into trip|~2h 10m 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
8
270.3 mi into trip|~4h 57m in|I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 West: Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 3B; 3C
Toward I 70 West: Kansas City
8
270.4 mi into trip|~4h 58m in
Take the exit toward Exchange Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3C
Toward Exchange Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.80 one way
$99.59 round trip
$4.65/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.27
$56.47
$112.93
premium
$5.82
$62.36
$124.71
diesel
$6.55
$70.13
$140.26
Estimated Tolls: $0.18
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(2.5 mi)$0.18
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
$50
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.6
1
$28.56
$13.06
Efficient EV
68
0
$23.80
$10.88
EV Truck/SUV
108.8
1
$38.08
$17.41
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Woodridge, IL
Late night
in Woodridge on Thursday
Local time
5:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
SSW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
East Saint Louis, IL
Late night
in East Saint Louis on Thursday
Local time
5:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Areas Of Fog then Sunny
SE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
64°F
Bloomington, IL
136 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
6 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 1m 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 178.2
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely highway, with 98% of the 272 miles on high-speed roads like I 55 and the Veterans Memorial Tollway. You'll experience a long stretch of 154.1 miles on I 55 without needing to exit. The Adlai Stevenson Expressway will be part of your initial approach to the highway system. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate this primarily urban and suburban corridor.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 154.1 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 3.9 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 272 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 3.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
795 ft417 ft
Total Climb
305 ft
Total Descent
617 ft
Highest Point
795 ft
~116.6 mi in
Elevation Range
378 ft
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 Woodridge, IL to East Saint Louis, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
East St. Louis, commonly abbreviated as "ESL", is a city in Southern Illinois directly across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. It is a sprawling city with about 18,000 people, down from about 82,000 in the 1950s.
While it attracts a few visitors who come mainly for gambling, East St. Louis is definitely not your typical travel destination. In 2013, it was considered to be the most dangerous city in the contiguous United States, based on violent crime statistics. A visit to ESL could be considered a way of getting a first-hand glimpse of the challenges that poverty-stricken U.S. urban areas face today.
Top landmarks
•Eads Bridge — bridge spanning the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri
•Spivey Building
•Majestic Theatre — former movie theater in East St. Louis, Illinois, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 272 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 154.1 miles on I 55. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.18 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.
Yes — we found about 32 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 East Saint Louis, 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.2 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Saint Louis, IL before the return drive.
