Origin
Arlington Heights, IL
Evening in Arlington Heights on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington Heights, IL to Jackson, IL
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
6h 1m
Distance
272.7 mi
439 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 48m
★
6 AM
6h 1m
8 AM
6h 27m
10 AM
6h 10m
12 PM
6h 8m
3 PM
6h 12m
5 PM
6h 26m
8 PM
5h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington Heights, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Jackson, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Trip Overview
The drive from Arlington Heights, IL to Jackson, IL covers 272.7 miles and takes about 6h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 41, SR 63, Wicker Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 79 miles on US 41. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.63 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
136.4 miles from Arlington Heights, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Arlington Heights, IL to Jackson, IL covers 272.7 miles and takes about 6h 1m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 41 is the longest continuous segment at about 79 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 272.7 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 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.5 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
10.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Toll South, I 190 West: Indiana, O'Hare
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 77A
Toward I 294 Toll South, I 190 West: Indiana, O...
6
26 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
45.5 mi into trip
|
~59m 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
51.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence Avenue
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 161
Toward US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence Avenue
9
52.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 161
Toward US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 41 | 79 mi | 1h 43m |
| SR 63 | 63.4 mi | 1h 20m |
| Wicker Avenue | 58.8 mi | 1h 18m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 39.8 mi | 50m |
| US 50 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Torrence Avenue | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| North Arlington Heights Road | 3.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
US 41
— 79 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights, IL and Jackson, IL.
1
Start on East Euclid Avenue
48 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Euclid Avenue
2
Turn right onto North Arlington Heights Road
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
North Arlington Heights Road
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 90 East: Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
4
Merge onto I 90
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 77A
Toward I 294 Toll South, I 190 West: Indiana, O'Hare
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 294 Toll South: Indiana
7
Merge onto I 294
10 mi
·
13 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Mile-Long Bridge
11
Continue on I 294
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 161
Toward US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 161
Toward US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence Avenue
Use the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
502 ft
·
12 sec
Toward IL 83 South
16
Turn straight onto IL 83
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Torrence Avenue
17
Turn left onto IL 83
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Glenwood Dyer Road
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 30
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Lincoln Highway
19
Continue on US 30
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Joliet Street
20
Continue on US 30
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Lincoln Highway
21
Turn right onto US 41
59 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
Wicker Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 41
22 mi
·
26 min
·
US 41
23
Continue on SR 63
63 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
SR 63
24
Continue on US 41
57 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
US 41
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 50 West: Lawrenceville
26
Merge onto US 50
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US 50
27
Take the exit onto US 50 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 50 Business
28
Turn sharp left
257 ft
·
11 sec
29
Continue on 990N
523 ft
·
10 sec
·
990N
30
Arrive at destination
990N
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 136.4 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79 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 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.4 miles or 3h 3m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, 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 272.7 miles and 6h 1m.
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 US 41 for about 79 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 136.4 mi from Arlington Heights, IL · 3h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 136.4 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 US 41 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79 miles.
Arriving in Jackson, IL
The final approach into Jackson, 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 Jackson, 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
$42.63 one way
$85.27 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.81 | $93.62 |
| premium | $4.89 | $52.48 | $104.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.21 | $120.42 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.86
Tri-state Tollway
(39.8 mi)
$2.40
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(6.6 mi)
$0.46
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
$43
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.8 | 1 | $28.63 | $13.09 |
| Efficient EV | 68.2 | 0 | $23.86 | $10.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.1 | 1 | $38.18 | $17.45 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Jackson, IL
Evening in Jackson on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
15 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 1m 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 Jackson, IL covers 272.7 miles and takes about 6h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 41, SR 63, Wicker Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 136.4 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 $42.63 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 19 significant decision points across 272.7 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 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.5 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Arlington Heights, IL to Jackson, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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