Spanning 165 miles across the Illinois Midwest, this drive from York to Cahokia typically takes about 3 hours and 22 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable duration, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this route primarily involves I-70, East Angling Road, and IL-3, creating a straightforward path through the state. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick change of pace, this journey offers a practical and efficient way to traverse the region.
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
82.5 miles from York, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
136.6 mi
2h 29m
East Angling Road
13.7 mi
24m
IL 3
3.6 mi
6m
IL 1
3.3 mi
4m
I 55
2.2 mi
3m
East 150th Road
1.9 mi
7m
South York Street
1.9 mi
3m
North Cleone Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 136.6 mi, about 2h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between York, IL and Cahokia, IL.
1
Start on North York Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·North York Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto West Broadway Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·West Broadway Street
3
Continue on East 150th Road
1.9 mi·7 min·East 150th Road
4
Turn sharp right onto IL 1
3.3 mi·4 min·IL 1
5
Turn left onto East Angling Road
9.0 mi·15 min·East Angling Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto East Angling Road
4.8 mi·8 min·East Angling Road
7
Continue on South York Street
1.9 mi·3 min·South York Street
8
Continue on North Cleone Road
0.9 mi·1 min·North Cleone Road
9
Turn left
0.4 mi·46 sec
10
Merge onto I 70
43 mi·46 min·I 70
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
77 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 70
Toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
17 mi·19 min·I 70
Toward I 55 South, I 70 West: Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55; US 40
0.7 mi·1 min·I 55; US 40
Toward I 55 South, I 64, IL 3, US 40 West: Louisville, Saint LouisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 55; I 64; US 40
1.0 mi·1 min·I 55; I 64; US 40
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55; IL 3
0.5 mi·32 sec·I 55; IL 3
Exit 1Toward IL 3 South: CahokiaUse the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit onto IL 3
3.6 mi·6 min·IL 3
Exit 1Toward IL 3 South: Cahokia Heights, Great River Road SouthUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto West 1st Street
94 ft·4 sec·West 1st Street
18
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for one strategic stop will help break up the journey. Keep in mind that with over 130 miles of continuous interstate driving, it is wise to check your fuel levels before merging onto I-70 to avoid unnecessary detours. Aiming for a mid-morning departure can help you avoid potential traffic spikes and ensure a smoother arrival in Cahokia. Because the route is straightforward, use your single recommended stop to stretch your legs and refresh, rather than rushing through the 165-mile trek in one go.
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 82.5 miles from York, IL, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.6 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 36 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.5 miles or 1h 49m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cahokia, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving York, 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 York, IL
This is one driving day of about 165 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from York, 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 136.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Early stretch
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
$20 to $30
Effingham, Illinois
Hours: 6–10 am
+12175407716
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 0.1 and 161.4 — 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|West Broadway Street
At end of road, turn right onto West Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
8
142.4 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|I 70
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 toward I 55 South, I 70 West: Saint Louis
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, I 70 West: Saint Louis
8
159.2 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|I 55; US 40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55; US 40 toward I 55 South, I 64, IL 3, US 40 West: Louisville, Saint Louis
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, I 64, IL 3, US 40 West: Loui...
8
160.9 mi into trip|~3h 15m in|I 55; IL 3
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55; IL 3 toward IL 3 South: Cahokia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1
Toward IL 3 South: Cahokia
8
161.4 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|IL 3
Take the exit onto IL 3 toward IL 3 South: Cahokia Heights, Great River Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1
Toward IL 3 South: Cahokia Heights, Great River...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.80 one way
$51.59 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.32
$56.65
premium
$4.89
$31.75
$63.51
diesel
$5.61
$36.43
$72.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.5
0
$17.33
$7.92
Efficient EV
41.3
0
$14.44
$6.60
EV Truck/SUV
66
0
$23.10
$10.56
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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
York, IL
Late night
in York on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 3 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 4:39PM CDT until April 29 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 4:38PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Destination
Cahokia, IL
Late night
in Cahokia on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
SE 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 4:39PM CDT until April 29 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 4:38PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
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
3h 22m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 trip is heavily highway-focused, with 88 percent of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a consistent rhythm during the longest uninterrupted stretch, which spans 136.6 miles along I-70. While the interstate provides a fast, efficient corridor, the character of the drive shifts as you transition onto East Angling Road and IL-3 to complete the final leg. Expect a steady, predictable experience behind the wheel rather than technical or winding terrain. The transition from the highway grind to the local roads offers a noticeable change in pace as you approach your arrival point.
88% 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: 136.6 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and East Angling Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Broadway Street.
Driving Effort7/10
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 165 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 0.1 miles (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 142.4 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.2 miles (I 55; US 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 165 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136.6 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 Cahokia, 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 142.4 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.2 miles (I 55; US 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Cahokia, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
