Wood River, IL Road Trips
Wood River, IL serves as a quiet starting point in the Midwest, connecting drivers to 2 outbound routes across the area. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 261 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Wood River, IL head north, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
6
Longest Drive
283.8 mi
Schaumburg, IL
Quickest Drive
4h 36m
Joliet, IL
Plan Around Wood River, IL
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Wood River, IL is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Wood River, IL
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Wood River, IL
Driving from Wood River, IL
On average, trips departing from Wood River, IL run 261 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 5m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 267 miles (5h 13m), while the shortest is just 256 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Wood River, IL most often head toward Wheaton, IL (266.8 mi, 5h 13m) and Aurora, IL (256 mi, 4h 57m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in IL currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 261-mile trip from Wood River, IL, budget about $39 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring. Routes mostly head north. Summer trips benefit from long daylight hours, while winter departures should start early to maximize visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 2 mapped routes leaving Wood River, IL and 4 routes heading into Wood River, IL, covering 6 total connections. Distances range from 256 to 267 miles.
The longest mapped route from Wood River, IL covers 267 miles and takes approximately 5h 13m. Shorter options start at just 256 miles.
The average route from Wood River, IL runs about 261 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 5m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 261-mile trip from Wood River, IL costs roughly $39 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Wood River, IL include Wheaton, IL and Aurora, IL. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Wood River, IL by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
10,315
Median Income
$65,960
Median Home Value
$103,200
Median Age
37.9
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Wood River, IL at a Glance
Founded
1908
Elevation
436 ft
Area
7 mi²
Notable People from Wood River, IL
A sampling of people born in Wood River, IL.
Ken Retzer
1934–2020
American baseball player
Dean Winslow
1953
American physician and professor (born c. 1953)
Jean Stothert
1954
Mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Earl Dodd
1924–2004
American professional basketball player (1924-2004)
City data from Wikidata (Q185601), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Trips to Wood River, IL
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