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Trip from York, IL to Rolling Meadows, IL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 30m

Distance

254.4 mi

409 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

31 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 17m ★
6 AM
5h 30m
8 AM
5h 57m
10 AM
5h 40m
12 PM
5h 37m
3 PM
5h 41m
5 PM
5h 56m
8 PM
5h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

York, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Rolling Meadows, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

York, IL to Rolling Meadows, IL is 254.4 miles and takes about 5h 30m via I 57 and IL 1, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. With 78% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct trip, though you'll transition to surface roads for a portion. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward drive between these two Illinois locations, with a manageable duration for a single day.

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

127.2 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
I 57 145.1 mi 2h 37m
IL 1 30.7 mi 45m
Tri-State Tollway 22.9 mi 28m
I 290 13.4 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 — 145.1 mi, about 2h 37m

Traffic on I-57

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~928 veh/hr typical · worst 1,278

Quietest

2 AM

~107 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8.7×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 51 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 Rolling Meadows, 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 349-350 Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork

1.8 mi · 3 min
Exit 349 Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin Use 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 31 Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

0.8 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31 Toward 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

2.2 mi · 2 min · IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward Kirchoff Road Use the right lane.
31

Turn sharp right onto Kirchoff Road

401 ft · 18 sec · Kirchoff Road
32

Turn left onto Rohlwing Road

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Rohlwing Road
33

Turn right onto Campbell Street

0.7 mi · 2 min · Campbell Street
34

Turn left onto Bluebird Lane

253 ft · 11 sec · Bluebird Lane
35

Arrive at destination

Bluebird Lane

Trip Plan

For this 5h 30m drive, leaving in the morning is best to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion closer to Rolling Meadows. The 254.4-mile trip is easily doable in one day, so you can be flexible with your departure time. Plan for one stop along the way to stretch your legs and refuel; the longest stretch without a significant road change is over 145 miles on I 57. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $40, and ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably.

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 127.2 miles from York, IL, or about 2h 59m 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 56 miles or 1h 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 127.2 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rolling Meadows, 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 254.4 miles and 5h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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.

Downtown Atwood, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Atwood, IL

127 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Charleston, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Atwood, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 127.2 miles from York, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 145.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · around the midpoint

Lucy's Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Gilman, Illinois

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset · 3h 9m in / 2h 21m to go 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18152657625

Golden Bear Pancake & Crepery Restaurants

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Alsip, Illinois

1.3 mi

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Oak Brook, Illinois

2.4 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Gypsy Queen Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marshall, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 24min in 0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–5:30 pm

+12172515199

Visit website

Latte Dough Coffee Shop & Bakery Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marshall, Illinois

0.3 mi

Bootsma Bookstore Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Palos Heights, Illinois

1 mi

Lucy's Kitchen

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Gilman, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18152657625

Golden Bear Pancake & Crepery Restaurants

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Alsip, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–2:30 pm

+17086533454

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Expensive

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Nad Tatrami Polish Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Monee, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17088855092

Visit website

Wings Chinese Food

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Alsip, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm

+17083710455

Visit website

El Coyote Mexican Restaurant

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Alsip, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+17083895400

Visit website

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Expensive

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Harmony Chinese Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Palos Heights, Illinois

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+17086718640

Visit website

Gypsy Queen Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Marshall, Illinois

Hours: 6:30 am–5:30 pm

+12172515199

Visit website

Latte Dough Coffee Shop & Bakery Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Marshall, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12178227322

Visit website

Bootsma Bookstore Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Palos Heights, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17082393976

Roma Cafe Chicago Ridge

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 1 pm–3 am

+17084990048

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Chicago Ridge, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17085813915

Visit website

Arcade Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Paxton, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12173793268

The Well

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Manteno, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+17795295090

Visit website

Hidden Manna Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30

Matteson, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+17082485571

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Marshall, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Savoy, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Hampton Inn Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Champaign, Illinois

Visit website

Main Line Station Rest Area - Northbound

0 mi from route

Illini Prairie Rest Area - Northbound

0 mi from route

Hinsdale Oasis

0 mi from route

Main Line Station Rest Area - Southbound

0.1 mi from route

Illini Prairie Rest Area - Southbound

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Prairie View Rest Area - Northbound

0.1 mi from route

Prairie View Rest Area - Southbound

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.2 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.2 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.2 mi from route

Peotone Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

AF Truck Center

0.3 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.4 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.7 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

1.4 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

1.7 mi from route

QuikTrip

1.9 mi from route

QuikTrip

2.2 mi from route

Crossroads Cantina

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Gilman, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+18157075200

Visit website

Caffe Milan

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour

Frankfort, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+18154697124

Visit website

Subway

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour Inexpensiv

Blue Island, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17082390888

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

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

$42.44 one way

$84.87 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.62 $46.30 $92.61
premium $5.25 $52.61 $105.23
diesel $6.28 $62.86 $125.72

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

$42

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 89 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.

EV Charging Along Route

31 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Champaign, IL - West Kirby Avenue - Tesla Supercharger

Champaign, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Bake Lab

Urbana, IL

RED_E

12 DCFC

Bradley, IL - Tesla Supercharger

Bradley, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Champaign Town Center Blvd

Champaign, IL

RED_E

10 DCFC

Gilman, IL Rechargery Relay - US-24

Gilman, IL

IONNA

10 DCFC

Champaign, IL - Tesla Supercharger

Champaign, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Gilman, IL - Tesla Supercharger

Gilman, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Meijer 146 (Champaign, IL)

Champaign, IL

Electrify America

6 DCFC

RED_E: 8 ChargePoint Network: 5 Tesla: 4 IONNA: 3 eVgo Network: 2 UNIVERSAL: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 2 Electrify America: 2 POWERPORT_EVC: 2 Blink Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 76.3 0 $26.71 $12.21
Efficient EV 63.6 0 $22.26 $10.18
EV Truck/SUV 101.8 1 $35.62 $16.28

Gas CO2

89 kg

EV CO2

30 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 22, 2026

Origin

York, IL

Morning in York on Thursday

Local time

6:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

42°F

Patchy Fog

N 2 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Rolling Meadows, IL

Morning in Rolling Meadows on Thursday

Local time

6:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Clear

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

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

5 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 30m 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

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...

8 mi from route ~21 min detour Free near mile 210.6
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is mostly highway, with 78% of the 254.4 miles on major roads like I 57 and the Tri-State Tollway. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 145.1 miles on I 57 before transitioning to other roads. Expect a significant amount of time with frequent exits as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 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?

9/10

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 Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 254.4 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

774 ft 451 ft

Total Climb

613 ft

Total Descent

349 ft

Highest Point

774 ft

~127.2 mi in

Elevation Range

323 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 Rolling Meadows, IL, road signs point toward Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Chicago and Saint Charles Road West.

Wisconsin

211.3 mi in | ~4h 30m

Milwaukee

235.4 mi in | ~5h 1m | via I 294

Chicago

235.4 mi in | ~5h 1m | via I 294

Saint Charles Road West

237.2 mi in | ~5h 5m

About the Cities

Starting in York, IL

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 254.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

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 Rolling Meadows, 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 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 Rolling Meadows, IL before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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