Origin
Arlington Heights, IL
Morning in Arlington Heights on Thursday
Local time
11:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington Heights, IL to Glen Carbon, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 23m
Distance
286.1 mi
460 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 10m
★
6 AM
5h 24m
8 AM
5h 50m
10 AM
5h 33m
12 PM
5h 30m
3 PM
5h 34m
5 PM
5h 49m
8 PM
5h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington Heights, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Glen Carbon, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Arlington Heights, IL to Glen Carbon, IL covers 286.1 miles and takes about 5h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on IL 53 South, I 290 East, I 355 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.73 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
143 miles from Arlington Heights, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 286.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 23m drive with frequent turns across 286.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IL 53 South is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 23m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Arlington Heights, IL to Glen Carbon, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IL 53 South | — | — |
| I 290 East | — | — |
| I 355 South | — | — |
| I 55 South | — | — |
| Joliet Road South | — | — |
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | — | — |
| I 270 West | — | — |
| IL 159 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
IL 53 South
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights, IL and Glen Carbon, IL.
1
Start on East Euclid Avenue
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East Euclid Avenue
2
Take the ramp right toward IL 53 South
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
IL 53 South
3
Merge slight left
1.1 mi
·
1 min
4
Keep slight left to continue on I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
5
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
7
Keep slight left to continue on Joliet Road South
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
Joliet Road South
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 55 South: Saint Louis
9
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
112 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
73 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 55 South: Saint Louis
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West: Kansas City
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 270 West: Kansas City
13
Merge slight left
2.2 mi
·
2 min
14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 159: Collinsville, Edwardsville
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
IL 159: Collinsville, Edwardsville
15
Keep slight left
138 ft
·
7 sec
16
Turn left onto South State Route 159
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
South State Route 159
17
Turn right onto Glen Crossing Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Glen Crossing Road
18
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 143 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
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 63 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143 miles or 2h 41m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glen Carbon, 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 286.1 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 143 mi from Arlington Heights, IL · 2h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 143 miles from Arlington Heights, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Glen Carbon, IL
The final approach into Glen Carbon, 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 Glen Carbon, 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
$44.73 one way
$89.46 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $49.11 | $98.22 |
| premium | $4.89 | $55.06 | $110.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.17 | $126.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.8 | 1 | $30.04 | $13.73 |
| Efficient EV | 71.5 | 0 | $25.03 | $11.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.4 | 1 | $40.05 | $18.31 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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
Glen Carbon, IL
Morning in Glen Carbon on Thursday
Local time
11:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
143 mi in
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
5h 23m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arlington Heights, IL to Glen Carbon, IL covers 286.1 miles and takes about 5h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IL 53 South, I 290 East, I 355 South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 143 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 $44.73 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 straightforward 5h 23m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Arlington Heights, IL to Glen Carbon, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Arlington Heights, IL to Glen Carbon, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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