This 274.2-mile drive from Berwyn, IL to Jerseyville, IL is a straightforward, single-day trip, estimated to take just over 5 hours. The majority of your journey, 91% to be exact, will be on highways, making it a focused drive through the heart of the Midwest. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. This route is best tackled in one go, as it's designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely exploration, and you'll find it’s a direct path connecting two points within Illinois. The overall feel is one of getting from point A to point B smoothly.
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
137.1 miles from Berwyn, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 274.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 5-hour journey, with 91% of the route utilizing major interstates like the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I-55, and I-72. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is an impressive 125.9 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, offering a substantial period of uninterrupted driving. While predominantly highway, this type of drive prioritizes speed and efficiency over varied scenery. You’ll experience the consistent rhythm of interstate travel as you cover the 274.2 miles.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 125.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
792 ft516 ft
Total Climb
591 ft
Total Descent
551 ft
Highest Point
792 ft
~117.5 mi in
Elevation Range
276 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Oak Park Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 274.2 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: near the start (Oak Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Oak Park Avenue
Turn right onto Oak Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
3.7 mi into trip|~7m in
Turn right
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
3.8 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 55 South
8
129.9 mi into trip|~2h 30m 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
6
194.7 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Berwyn, IL to Jerseyville, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Step-by-step road directions between Berwyn, IL and Jerseyville, IL.
1
Start on West Cermak Road
91 ft·5 sec·West Cermak Road
2
Turn right onto Oak Park Avenue
0.1 mi·21 sec·Oak Park Avenue
3
Turn right onto Riverside Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Riverside Drive
4
Turn left onto IL 43
2.8 mi·5 min·South Harlem Avenue
5
Turn right
137 ft·5 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 55 South
7
Merge onto I 55
126 mi·2 hr 22 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, SpringfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
37 mi·39 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 67 South: Alton
11
Merge onto US 67
12 mi·13 min·United States Route 67
12
Continue on US 67
2.3 mi·2 min·1440 E
13
Continue on US 67
1.4 mi·1 min·North State Street
14
Continue on US 67
2.4 mi·2 min·South State Avenue
15
Continue on US 67
1.4 mi·1 min·North Main Street
16
Continue on US 67
8.1 mi·9 min·United States Route 67
17
Continue on US 67
14 mi·16 min·North 5th Street
18
Turn right onto West Exchange Street
143 ft·6 sec·West Exchange Street
19
Arrive at destination
West Exchange Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration and highway-focused profile, departing Berwyn early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially if you aim to complete the 274.2 miles in one day. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing, but remember the longest stretch is over 125 miles, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly. A practical tip for this route: be aware that I-55 can experience significant truck traffic, so allow for extra time if you're sensitive to slower speeds. The $43 fuel estimate should cover your needs, but always keep an eye on your gauge.
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 137.1 miles from Berwyn, IL, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.9 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 60 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.1 miles or 2h 38m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jerseyville, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Berwyn, 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 Berwyn, IL
This is one driving day of about 274.2 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Berwyn, 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 125.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.1 mi from Berwyn, IL
· 2h 38m into the drive
The midpoint is around 137.1 miles from Berwyn, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.9 miles.
Arriving in Jerseyville, IL
The final approach into Jerseyville, 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 Jerseyville, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 189.1
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...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.3
1
$28.79
$13.16
Efficient EV
68.6
0
$23.99
$10.97
EV Truck/SUV
109.7
1
$38.39
$17.55
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Berwyn, IL
Afternoon
in Berwyn on Thursday
Local time
2:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jerseyville, IL
Afternoon
in Jerseyville on Thursday
Local time
2:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
137 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
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 9m 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 Berwyn, IL to Jerseyville, IL covers 274.2 miles and takes about 5h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55, I 72. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.1 miles from Berwyn, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.87 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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 274.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Oak Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Berwyn, IL to Jerseyville, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 516 ft to 792 ft elevation with about 591 ft of total climbing.
