York, IL to Fox Lake, IL is 280.8 miles and takes about 6h 2m via I 57 and IL 1, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a drive that's predominantly on major highways, making for a straightforward transit between these two points. With its manageable distance and duration, it's a solid choice for a single-day drive.
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
140.4 miles from York, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
145.1 mi
2h 37m
IL 1
30.7 mi
45m
Tri-State Tollway
22.9 mi
28m
North Rand Road
14.3 mi
18m
I 290
13.4 mi
17m
West Jasper Street
10.7 mi
18m
IL 53
8.9 mi
11m
E County Road 200 N
8.8 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 145.1 mi, about 2h 37m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~865 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~101 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 5 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 Fox Lake, 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·45 min·IL 1
5
Turn left onto US 150; IL 16; IL 133
11 mi·18 min·West Jasper Street
6
Continue on IL 133
1.3 mi·2 min·East 1200th Road
7
Continue on IL 133
1.6 mi·2 min·East 1220th Road
8
Continue on IL 133
0.7 mi·1 min·East 1225th Road
9
Continue on IL 133
1.0 mi·1 min·East 1850th Road
10
Continue on IL 133
5.3 mi·9 min·Illinois Route 133
11
Continue on IL 133
3.6 mi·6 min·E County Road 200 N
12
Continue on IL 133
0.6 mi·1 min·Illinois Route 133
13
Continue on IL 133
1.5 mi·2 min·East County Road 200 North
14
Continue on IL 133
1.6 mi·2 min·E County Road 200 N
15
Continue on IL 133
1.2 mi·2 min·East County Road 200 North
16
Continue on IL 133
3.6 mi·6 min·E County Road 200 N
17
Continue on IL 133
0.3 mi·32 sec·East County Road 200 North
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
19
Merge onto I 57
145 mi·2 hr 37 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 349-350Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, WisconsinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi·3 min
Exit 349Toward I 294 Toll North: WisconsinUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Merge onto I 294
21 mi·25 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit onto I 294
321 ft·7 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.8 mi·1 min·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 290 West: Rockford
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward Saint Charles Road West
28
Merge onto I 290
13 mi·17 min·I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
8.9 mi·11 min·IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on Lake Cook Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Lake Cook Road
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on US 12
14 mi·18 min·North Rand Road
Use the right lane.
32
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.9 mi·2 min·US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
33
Continue on US 12; IL 59
4.1 mi·4 min·US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
34
Continue on this road
58 ft·6 sec·this road
35
Turn left
67 ft·4 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from York, IL. This will help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the Fox Lake area. With 280.8 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $50, you should plan for at least one fuel stop, perhaps around the halfway point. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but breaking it up with a stop around the 145-mile mark on I 57 could offer a good chance to stretch your legs before the final leg.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 140.4 miles from York, IL, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.1 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 62 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.4 miles or 3h 13m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fox Lake, 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 280.8 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 57 for about 145.1 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 211.3 and 235.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
211.3 mi into trip|~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
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 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevar...
8
211.7 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
6
234.2 mi into trip|~5h in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
235.4 mi into trip|~5h 1m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
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 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Roc...
7
235.5 mi into trip|~5h 1m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwa...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.47 one way
$82.94 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$45.78
$91.56
premium
$4.72
$52.14
$104.27
diesel
$4.80
$53.02
$106.04
Estimated Tolls: $1.37
Tri-state Tollway
(22.9 mi)$1.37
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
$41
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.2
1
$29.48
$13.48
Efficient EV
70.2
0
$24.57
$11.23
EV Truck/SUV
112.3
1
$39.31
$17.97
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
York, IL
Afternoon
in York on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 5 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
Fox Lake, IL
Afternoon
in Fox Lake on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
WSW 5 to 10 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:11PM CDT until July 19 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
85°F
Shelby, IN
140 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
1 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
6h 2m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 75% of the 280.8 miles spent on major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 145.1 miles on I 57 before transitioning to other routes. Expect to encounter more frequent exits as you approach your destination, indicating a shift from rural cruising to more developed areas.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.1 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 211.3 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 280.8 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 211.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 234.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
771 ft451 ft
Total Climb
592 ft
Total Descent
300 ft
Highest Point
771 ft
~100.3 mi in
Elevation Range
319 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between York, IL and Fox Lake, IL, road signs point toward Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Chicago and Saint Charles Road West.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 280.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 145.1 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.37 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.
Yes — we found about 26 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 Fox Lake, 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 211.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 234.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fox Lake, IL before the return drive.
