Origin
Arlington Heights, IL
Morning in Arlington Heights on Wednesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington Heights, IL to Glendale Heights, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
28m
Distance
16.9 mi
27 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 26m
★
6 AM
0h 28m
8 AM
0h 33m
10 AM
0h 30m
12 PM
0h 29m
3 PM
0h 30m
5 PM
0h 33m
8 PM
0h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington Heights, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Glendale Heights, IL
Choco Kitty
Trip Overview
The drive from Arlington Heights, IL to Glendale Heights, IL covers 16.9 miles and takes about 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on IL 53, East Euclid Avenue, I 355 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 8.1 miles on IL 53. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.64 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
8.4 miles from Arlington Heights, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 28m highway drive covering 16.9 miles, with most of the trip on IL 53 and East Euclid Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 8.1 miles on IL 53.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IL 53 is the longest continuous segment at about 8.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IL 53 and East Euclid Avenue. 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 16.9 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 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
7
13.6 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward Army Trail Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 29
Toward Army Trail Road
6
15.2 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
Glen Ellyn Road
Turn left onto Glen Ellyn Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
16.8 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
Highland Avenue
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IL 53 | 8.1 mi | 10m |
| East Euclid Avenue | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| I 355 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Glen Ellyn Road | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| West Army Trail Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Army Trail Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Winthrop Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Highland Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
IL 53
— 8.1 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights, IL and Glendale Heights, 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
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
I 355
Exit 7
Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
Use the slight left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 29
Toward Army Trail Road
Use the right lane.
7
Turn right onto West Army Trail Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Army Trail Road
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on East Army Trail Road
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
East Army Trail Road
9
Turn left onto Glen Ellyn Road
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Glen Ellyn Road
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto Winthrop Avenue
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Winthrop Avenue
11
Turn right onto Highland Avenue
83 ft
·
3 sec
·
Highland Avenue
12
Arrive at destination
Highland Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 8.4 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.1 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 16.9 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.4 miles or 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale Heights, 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 16.9 miles and 28m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on IL 53 for about 8.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.4 mi from Arlington Heights, IL · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 16.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.4 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Glendale Heights, IL
The final approach into Glendale Heights, 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 Glendale Heights, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.64 one way
$5.28 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $2.90 | $5.80 |
| premium | $4.89 | $3.25 | $6.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.73 | $7.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.77 | $0.81 |
| Efficient EV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.48 | $0.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.37 | $1.08 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Glendale Heights, IL
Morning in Glendale Heights on Wednesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
26 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
28m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Glendale Heights, IL covers 16.9 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IL 53, East Euclid Avenue, I 355. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.4 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 $2.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 16.9 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 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Arlington Heights, IL to Glendale Heights, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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