Trip from Carol Stream, IL to Belleville, IL

Drive Time

5h 31m

Distance

290 mi

467 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 19m ★

6 AM

5h 32m

8 AM

5h 59m

10 AM

5h 41m

12 PM

5h 39m

3 PM

5h 43m

5 PM

5h 57m

8 PM

5h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Carol Stream, IL

Nikola Dumanovic

Belleville, IL

Mike Tyurin

Trip Overview

Traveling from Carol Stream to Belleville covers 290 miles across the Illinois heartland. You can expect a total drive time of approximately 5 hours and 31 minutes, making it a manageable journey for a single day of travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $44, this trip is budget-friendly for those looking to stay within the Midwest. Since the route is primarily highway-focused, you will spend the vast majority of your time cruising toward your destination. Whether you are heading south for business or visiting family, this drive offers a straightforward connection across the state. It is an ideal distance to complete in one go without the need for an overnight stay.

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

145 miles from Carol Stream, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highly efficient trip, as 88 percent of your journey is spent on major highways. You will navigate using the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, the Veterans Memorial Tollway, and a significant stretch on I-55. The road maintains a consistent, fast-paced personality, with your longest uninterrupted stint reaching 142.7 miles on I-55. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the experience is defined by steady speeds and reliable pavement rather than winding backroads. Prepare for a predictable, interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvers.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 142.7 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

796 ft 514 ft

Total Climb

372 ft

Total Descent

619 ft

Highest Point

796 ft

~132.9 mi in

Elevation Range

282 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 290 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 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

21.2 mi into trip | ~31m 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

21.4 mi into trip | ~31m 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

21.8 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

133.5 mi into trip | ~2h 35m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

198.3 mi into trip | ~3h 45m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Towns Along This Route

Between Carol Stream, IL and Belleville, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Springfield.

Saint Louis

21.2 mi in | ~31m

Joliet Road South

21.4 mi in | ~31m

Springfield

133.5 mi in | ~2h 35m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	142.7 mi	2h 34m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	111.5 mi	2h 2m
Veterans Memorial Tollway	14.6 mi	18m
North Illinois Street	9.3 mi	14m
East North Avenue	4.2 mi	7m
Vandalia Street	3 mi	4m
South Morrison Avenue	1.3 mi	1m
North Avenue	1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 142.7 mi, about 2h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carol Stream, IL and Belleville, IL.

Start on West Thunderbird Trail

0.2 mi · 54 sec · West Thunderbird Trail

At end of road, turn right onto Aztec Drive

160 ft · 12 sec · Aztec Drive

Turn left onto Thunderbird Trail

202 ft · 14 sec · Thunderbird Trail

Turn left onto Kuhn Road

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Kuhn Road

Turn left onto IL 64

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Avenue

Use the none lane.

Continue on IL 64

4.2 mi · 7 min · East North Avenue

Use the left / uturn / none lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet Use the right lane.

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 57 sec · this road

Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet

Merge onto I 355

15 mi · 18 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Toward Joliet Road South Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 55

112 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

65 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

78 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec

Exit 15A Toward IL 159 South: Collinsville

Continue on IL 159

3.0 mi · 4 min · Vandalia Street

Continue on IL 159

1.3 mi · 1 min · South Morrison Avenue

Continue on IL 159

9.3 mi · 14 min · North Illinois Street

Turn left onto East F Street

59 ft · 2 sec · East F Street

Arrive at destination

East F Street

Trip Plan

To keep your energy high, plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 5-hour and 31-minute transit. Given the heavy reliance on I-55, aim to depart early in the morning or mid-day to avoid peak traffic congestion near major interchanges. Keeping your fuel budget around $44 should be sufficient, but monitor your levels before hitting the longest 142.7-mile stretch to ensure you don't run low between service areas. Since the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions in real-time. Keep a close eye on navigation apps as you merge onto the Adlai Stevenson Expressway to ensure you stay on the most efficient path toward Belleville.

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 145 miles from Carol Stream, IL, or about 2h 47m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.7 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 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 145 miles or 2h 47m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belleville, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Carol Stream, 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 Carol Stream, IL

This is one driving day of about 290 miles and 5h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carol Stream, 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 I 55 for about 142.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 145 mi from Carol Stream, IL · 2h 47m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

145 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

Normal, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 145 miles from Carol Stream, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 142.7 miles.

Arriving in Belleville, IL

The final approach into Belleville, 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 Belleville, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.05 one way

$88.10 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$48.56	$97.12
premium	$4.80	$54.75	$109.49
diesel	$5.64	$64.43	$128.86

Estimated Tolls: $1.02

Veterans Memorial Tollway (14.6 mi) $1.02

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

$44

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 101.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	87	1	$30.45	$13.92
Efficient EV	72.5	0	$25.38	$11.60
EV Truck/SUV	116	1	$40.60	$18.56

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Carol Stream, IL

Afternoon in Carol Stream on Sunday

Local time

4:01 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Belleville, IL

Afternoon in Belleville on Sunday

Local time

4:01 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

SE 8 mph 15% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 11:35AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Along the Route

53°F

Bloomington, IL

145 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

28 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 31m 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 Carol Stream, IL to Belleville, IL covers 290 miles and takes about 5h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Veterans Memorial Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 145 miles from Carol Stream, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.05 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.

Between Carol Stream, IL and Belleville, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Springfield.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 514 ft to 796 ft elevation with about 372 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Belleville, IL to Carol Stream, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

290 mi 5h 32m

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Trip from Carol Stream, IL to Belleville, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Belleville, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Carol Stream, IL

Belleville, IL

Same local time

28 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 31m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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