Origin
Arlington Heights, IL
Evening in Arlington Heights on Tuesday
Local time
8:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington Heights, IL to Chester, IL
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
6h 46m
Distance
346.7 mi
558 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 35m
★
6 AM
6h 47m
8 AM
7h 10m
10 AM
6h 55m
12 PM
6h 53m
3 PM
6h 56m
5 PM
7h 9m
8 PM
6h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington Heights, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Chester, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Arlington Heights, IL to Chester, IL covers 346.7 miles and takes about 6h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, IL 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 142.7 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.20 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
173.4 miles from Arlington Heights, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 6h 46m highway drive covering 346.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 142.7 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 142.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near IL 53.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 346.7 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 4 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
8
11 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 355
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
8
31.1 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
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 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
7
31.4 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Joliet Road South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Joliet Road South
8
143.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Arlington Heights, IL and Chester, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Springfield.
Saint Louis
31.1 mi in
|
~42m
Joliet Road South
31.4 mi in
|
~42m
Springfield
143.4 mi in
|
~2h 46m
|
via I 55
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 142.7 mi | 2h 34m |
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 111.5 mi | 2h 2m |
| IL 3 | 23.3 mi | 28m |
| I 355 | 20.1 mi | 25m |
| North Illinois Street | 9.8 mi | 15m |
| South Illinois Street | 8.3 mi | 12m |
| IL 53 | 8.1 mi | 10m |
| Main Street | 8 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 142.7 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights, IL and Chester, IL.
1
Start on East Euclid Avenue
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East Euclid Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward IL 53 South
3
Merge onto IL 53
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 53
4
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 355
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 355
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Use the slight left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 12A
Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South
Use the slight left lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 55
112 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
78 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 15A
Toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
13
Continue on IL 159
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Vandalia Street
14
Continue on IL 159
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Morrison Avenue
15
Continue on IL 159
9.8 mi
·
15 min
·
North Illinois Street
16
Enter roundabout onto IL 159
181 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Illinois Street
17
Continue on IL 159
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
South Illinois Street
18
Continue on IL 159
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
State Route 159
19
Continue on IL 156; IL 159
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
North Main Street
20
Continue on IL 159
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
N Main St
21
Continue on IL 159
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Main Street
22
Continue on IL 3
23 mi
·
28 min
·
IL 3
23
Turn right onto IL 3; IL 150
386 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Street
24
Turn right onto East Stacey Street
125 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Stacey Street
25
Arrive at destination
East Stacey Street
Trip Plan
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 173.4 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.7 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.4 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chester, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arlington Heights, 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 Arlington Heights, IL
This is one driving day of about 346.7 miles and 6h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Arlington Heights, 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 55 for about 142.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 173.4 mi from Arlington Heights, IL · 3h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 173.4 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 142.7 miles.
Arriving in Chester, IL
The final approach into Chester, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Chester, IL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.20 one way
$108.41 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $59.51 | $119.02 |
| premium | $4.89 | $66.72 | $133.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.55 | $153.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104 | 1 | $36.40 | $16.64 |
| Efficient EV | 86.7 | 0 | $30.34 | $13.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.7 | 1 | $48.54 | $22.19 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Destination
Chester, IL
Evening in Chester on Tuesday
Local time
8:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
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
28 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 46m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arlington Heights, IL to Chester, IL covers 346.7 miles and takes about 6h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, IL 3. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 173.4 miles from Arlington Heights, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 346.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Arlington Heights, IL and Chester, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Springfield.
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