York, IL to Flagg, IL is 263.9 miles and takes about 5h 29m via US 51 and I-74, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest region, primarily within Illinois, offering a straightforward drive. With 84% of the trip on highways, you'll experience mostly efficient travel. This trip is best suited for a single day of driving, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points.
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
132 miles from York, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 51
98.5 mi
1h 45m
I 74
86.2 mi
1h 33m
IL 1
31.3 mi
46m
Georgetown Road
29.8 mi
44m
Lincoln Avenue
4.1 mi
7m
IL Route 1
2.4 mi
6m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
2.1 mi
2m
East 150th Road
1.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
US 51
— 98.5 mi, about 1h 45m
Traffic on I-39
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~755 veh/hr typical
· worst 994
Quietest
1 AM
~66 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 100 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 York, IL and Flagg, 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
31 mi·46 min·IL 1
5
Continue on US 150; IL 1
2.4 mi·6 min·IL Route 1
6
Continue on US 150; IL 1
10 mi·14 min·Georgetown Road
7
Continue on US 150; IL 1
0.3 mi·28 sec·1575 E US 36
8
Continue on US 150; IL 1
6.1 mi·9 min·Georgetown Road
9
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.9 mi·2 min·North State Street
10
Continue on US 150; IL 1
14 mi·20 min·Georgetown Road
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·41 sec
Toward I 74 West: Champaign
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 74 West
13
Merge onto I 74
86 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 74
14
Continue on I 55; US 51
0.9 mi·58 sec·I 55; US 51
15
Take the exit onto US 51
98 mi·1 hr 45 min·US 51
Exit 164Toward I 39 North: RockfordUse the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 97BToward I 88 West Toll: Moline, Rock Island
17
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
2.1 mi·2 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 76Toward IL 251: Rochelle, Mendota
19
Turn right onto IL 251
1.4 mi·2 min·IL 251
20
Turn right onto IL 38
338 ft·9 sec·4th Avenue
21
Turn right onto IL 38
394 ft·8 sec·North 6th Street
22
Turn right onto IL 38
4.1 mi·7 min·Lincoln Avenue
23
Turn left onto South Grange Road
1.1 mi·4 min·South Grange Road
24
Turn left onto East Titus Road
62 ft·2 sec·East Titus Road
25
Arrive at destination
East Titus Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 29 minute estimated drive time, leaving in the morning should allow you to reach your destination before evening. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan for a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The majority of this trip is on highways, so keep an eye out for fuel stations in the larger towns you pass through, as they may be more spaced out. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so factor that into your budget. This is a manageable one-day drive, but the 98.5 mile stretch on US 51 means you can comfortably go a good distance without needing to stop.
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 132 miles from York, IL, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.5 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 58 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132 miles or 2h 59m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flagg, 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 263.9 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 US 51 for about 98.5 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 256.8 — 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
5
2.3 mi into trip|~9m in|IL 1
Turn sharp right onto IL 1
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
155.8 mi into trip|~3h 25m in|US 51
Take the exit onto US 51 toward I 39 North: Rockford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 164
Toward I 39 North: Rockford
6
254.3 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 88 West Toll: Moline, Rock Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 97B
Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline, Rock Island
6
256.8 mi into trip|~5h 14m in
Take the exit toward IL 251: Rochelle, Mendota
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 76
Toward IL 251: Rochelle, Mendota
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.02 one way
$88.04 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$47.84
$95.69
premium
$5.26
$54.64
$109.28
diesel
$6.18
$64.20
$128.40
Estimated Tolls: $0.13
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(2.1 mi)$0.13
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
$44
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.2
0
$27.71
$12.67
Efficient EV
66
0
$23.09
$10.56
EV Truck/SUV
105.6
1
$36.95
$16.89
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
York, IL
Morning
in York on Saturday
Local time
6:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 17 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 6:12AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:28AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Flagg, IL
Morning
in Flagg on Saturday
Local time
6:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Scattered Rain Showers
NW 15 to 20 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 6:12AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:28AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 29m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 84% of the 263.9 miles spent on major roads like US 51 and I-74. You'll encounter a long stretch of 98.5 miles on US 51, offering a period of consistent cruising. The highway portion will likely involve numerous exits and merges as you navigate through different highway segments. Expect the remaining 16% of the drive to be on surface roads, transitioning to a more local feel.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.5 mi on US 51.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and I 74. 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 West Broadway Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 263.9 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 (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (IL 1): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 155.8 miles (US 51): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 29m. Total distance: 263.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.5 miles on US 51. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.13 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan 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.
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.
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 (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles (IL 1): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 155.8 miles (US 51): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Flagg, IL before the return drive.
