York, IL to River Forest, IL is 234.2 miles and takes about 5h 12m via I 57 and IL 1, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward trip. With over 76% of the route on highways, expect a fairly direct path. This is a manageable one-day trip, perfect if you're looking to get to your destination without an overnight stop.
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
117.1 miles from York, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
138.1 mi
2h 28m
IL 1
30.7 mi
45m
South Cicero Avenue
13 mi
21m
Cicero Avenue
10.8 mi
17m
West Jasper Street
10.7 mi
18m
E County Road 200 N
8.8 mi
15m
Illinois Route 133
6 mi
10m
East County Road 200 North
3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 138.1 mi, about 2h 28m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 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
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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 River Forest, 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
138 mi·2 hr 28 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 342Toward Vollmer RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
522 ft·17 sec
Exit 342Toward Vollmer Road WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto CH B66
0.4 mi·39 sec·Vollmer Road
23
Turn left onto IL 50
11 mi·17 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on IL 50
13 mi·21 min·South Cicero Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn left onto West Flournoy Street
320 ft·8 sec·West Flournoy Street
Use the left lane.
26
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 290 WestUse the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
2.6 mi·3 min·Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 21BToward IL 43: Harlem AvenueUse the straight / slight left lanes.
29
Turn right onto IL 43
1.7 mi·4 min·South Harlem Avenue
30
Turn left onto Augusta Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Augusta Street
Use the left lane.
31
Arrive at destination
Augusta Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. The drive is mostly highway, so plan for fewer stops than you might on a more scenic route. You'll have one primary fuel cost estimate of $41. Keep an eye on your fuel level, especially before the longest stretch of 138.1 miles on I 57, as services can be more spread out in some sections. This is a good route to drive straight through if needed, but a brief stop around the halfway point can help break up the drive.
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 117.1 miles from York, IL, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.1 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 52 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.1 miles or 2h 47m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near River Forest, 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 234.2 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 138.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 204.4 and 231.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
204.4 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward Vollmer Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 342
Toward Vollmer Road
9
204.7 mi into trip|~4h 22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Vollmer Road West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 342
Toward Vollmer Road West
6
229 mi into trip|~5h 2m in|West Flournoy Street
Turn left onto West Flournoy Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
229 mi into trip|~5h 2m in
Take the ramp toward I 290 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 290 West
7
231.8 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Take the exit toward IL 43: Harlem Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 21B
Toward IL 43: Harlem Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.59 one way
$69.17 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.18
$76.36
premium
$4.72
$43.48
$86.97
diesel
$4.80
$44.22
$88.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.3
0
$24.59
$11.24
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.49
$9.37
EV Truck/SUV
93.7
1
$32.79
$14.99
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
York, IL
Late night
in York on Tuesday
Local time
5:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 0 to 3 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:41PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 1:24PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Destination
River Forest, IL
Late night
in River Forest on Tuesday
Local time
5:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Smoke
E 0 to 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:41PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 1:24PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
88°F
Shelby, IN
117 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
5h 12m 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.
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?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 76% of the 234.2 miles on routes like I 57. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 138.1 miles, also on I 57. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads around the 138-mile mark. Expect a significant amount of exit and merge activity as you approach more populated areas later in the drive.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 138.1 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 1. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 204.4 miles in.
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 234.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 204.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 229 miles (West Flournoy Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
793 ft451 ft
Total Climb
560 ft
Total Descent
384 ft
Highest Point
793 ft
~117.1 mi in
Elevation Range
342 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 York, IL to River Forest, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Vollmer Road West along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 12m. Total distance: 234.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 138.1 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 River Forest, 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 204.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 229 miles (West Flournoy Street): 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at River Forest, IL before the return drive.
