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Trip from Arlington Heights, IL to Pana, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 30m
Distance
223.2 mi
359 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
22 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 17m
★
6 AM
4h 30m
8 AM
4h 57m
10 AM
4h 39m
12 PM
4h 37m
3 PM
4h 41m
5 PM
4h 55m
8 PM
4h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington Heights, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Pana, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Arlington Heights, IL to Pana, IL is 223.2 miles and takes about 4h 30m via Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 355, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest route stays within Illinois, offering a straightforward trip between two points in the state. With a high percentage of highway driving, you can expect a relatively quick transit. This is a good option if you're looking for a direct drive with minimal fuss, suitable for a single day of travel.
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
111.6 miles from Arlington Heights, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 111.5 mi | 2h 2m |
| North Walnut Street | 23.2 mi | 29m |
| I 355 | 20.1 mi | 25m |
| South Business Route 51 | 19.6 mi | 23m |
| North 1450 East Road | 14.7 mi | 17m |
| US 51 Business | 9.9 mi | 15m |
| IL 53 | 8.1 mi | 10m |
| North 2600 East Rd | 7.9 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 111.5 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights, IL and Pana, 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 left at fork onto I 74; US 51
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 74; US 51
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
11
Take the exit onto US 51
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 51
Exit 135
Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
12
Continue on US 51
15 mi
·
17 min
·
North 1450 East Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 51
23 mi
·
29 min
·
North Walnut Street
14
Turn straight onto US 51 Business
9.9 mi
·
15 min
·
US 51 Business
15
Take the ramp onto US 51 Business
20 mi
·
23 min
·
South Business Route 51
16
Continue on US 51
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
North 2600 East Rd
17
Turn right onto US 51; IL 16
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 2600 East Road
18
Continue on US 51; IL 16
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Jackson Street
19
Turn left onto US 51; IL 16
467 ft
·
8 sec
·
Cedar Street
20
Turn right onto US 51; IL 16
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1st Street
21
Turn left onto US 51; IL 16
463 ft
·
13 sec
·
South Poplar Street
22
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
84 ft
·
3 sec
·
East 2nd Street
23
Arrive at destination
East 2nd Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 30m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. Given the manageable distance and single recommended day, you won't need to split the trip. Plan for one stop to refuel and stretch your legs; the longest stretch without a major change in road type is over 111 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach Pana, as services might become less frequent on the final approach. Budget around $35 for fuel.
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 111.6 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.5 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 49 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.6 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pana, 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 223.2 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 111.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 111.6 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Limestone Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Limestone Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Greater Chicago Truck Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 31.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
31.8 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.89 one way
$69.79 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $38.31 | $76.63 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.95 | $85.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.28 | $98.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
22 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Normal, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Normal, Illinois
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Bloomington, Illinois
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
State Farm Parking Garage
Bloomington, Illinois
Other
1 DCFC
Electrify America Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
Electrify America
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Other: 8
ChargePoint: 8
Tesla Destination: 2
Tesla: 1
Electrify America: 1
EV Connect: 1
Shell Recharge: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67 | 0 | $23.44 | $10.71 |
| Efficient EV | 55.8 | 0 | $19.53 | $8.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.25 | $14.28 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Arlington Heights, IL
Afternoon in Arlington Heights on Saturday
Local time
3:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pana, IL
Afternoon in Pana on Saturday
Local time
3:35 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
22 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
4h 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
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 30.8
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
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 77% of the 223.2 miles on major interstates like Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 355. You'll experience a long stretch of 111.5 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a more urban feel with frequent exits early on, giving way to more open driving as you head south. The transition to North Walnut Street in Pana marks the end of the high-speed sections.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.5 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and North Walnut Street. 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.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 223.2 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
819 ft
556 ft
Total Climb
398 ft
Total Descent
403 ft
Highest Point
819 ft
~143.5 mi in
Elevation Range
263 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Pana, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South, Decatur and Bloomington.
Saint Louis
31.1 mi in
|
~42m
Joliet Road South
31.4 mi in
|
~42m
Decatur
143.4 mi in
|
~2h 46m
|
via I 74; US 51
Bloomington
145.5 mi in
|
~2h 48m
|
via US 51
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 223.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.5 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Pana, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Pana, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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