Trip from Chicago, IL to Alton, IL

Drive Time

5h 28m

Distance

283.9 mi

457 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

5h 15m ★

6 AM

5h 29m

8 AM

5h 56m

10 AM

5h 38m

12 PM

5h 35m

3 PM

5h 39m

5 PM

5h 54m

8 PM

5h 21m

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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Chicago, IL

Otoniel Alvarado

Alton, IL

Samuele Pellegrino

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Chicago to Alton, expect a straightforward journey spanning 283.9 miles. You will spend roughly 5 hours and 28 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable excursion for a single day. The route primarily utilizes the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-55 before transitioning onto State Route 140 for the final approach. Budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest locations. While the trip is efficient enough to complete in one go, you might consider building in one planned stop to break up the drive. It is a practical, highway-heavy route that gets you from the heart of Illinois to the riverfront area of Alton with minimal fuss.

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

142 miles from Chicago, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is defined by its efficiency, with 96% of the journey spent on highways. You will experience a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 128.7 miles along the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, which sets a fast, consistent pace early on. As you move away from the urban density of Chicago and continue along I-55, the character of the road remains focused on steady interstate travel. The final transition onto State Route 140 provides a shift in scenery as you move away from the major corridors. Expect a predictable, highway-focused experience that prioritizes speed over technical maneuvering, allowing you to cover the total 283.9 miles without much variation in road type.

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

There are about 27 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 128.7 miles.

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 around 0.2 miles in near West Cermak Road.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 283.9 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 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Halsted Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | West Cermak Road

At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | South Halsted Street

Turn left onto South Halsted Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive

1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: St Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 53B Toward I 55 South: St Louis

136.1 mi into trip | ~2h 38m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Chicago, IL and Alton, IL, road signs point toward Springfield and Greenville.

Springfield

136.1 mi in | ~2h 38m | via I 55

Greenville

263.6 mi in | ~4h 55m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	128.7 mi	2h 26m
I 55	127.4 mi	2h 17m
State Route 140	9.6 mi	13m
Stevenson Expressway	5.6 mi	7m
College Avenue	3.9 mi	6m
East Bethalto Drive	1.8 mi	3m
East MacArthur Drive	1.4 mi	2m
West Macarthur Drive	1.3 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 128.7 mi, about 2h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Alton, IL.

Start on this road

0.2 mi · 1 min · this road

At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Cermak Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto South Halsted Street

0.1 mi · 17 sec · South Halsted Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue

285 ft · 5 sec · South Canalport Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn slight right

110 ft · 4 sec

Take the ramp

455 ft · 11 sec

Toward I 90 East, I 94 East

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 53B Toward I 55 South: St Louis Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 55

5.6 mi · 7 min · Stevenson Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 55

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Adlai E Stevenson Expressway

Continue on I 55

129 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

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

63 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 55

Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville

Turn right onto IL 140

0.7 mi · 1 min · East State Street

Continue on IL 140

9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140

Continue on IL 140

1.8 mi · 3 min · East Bethalto Drive

Continue on IL 111; IL 140

1.4 mi · 2 min · East MacArthur Drive

Continue on IL 111; IL 140

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive

Continue on IL 111; IL 140

3.6 mi · 6 min · College Avenue

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto College Avenue

397 ft · 7 sec · College Avenue

Continue on College Avenue

0.3 mi · 27 sec · College Avenue

Turn left onto US 67

0.9 mi · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive

Continue on US 67

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Piasa Street

Turn left onto West 3rd Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · West 3rd Street

Turn right onto Alby Street

118 ft · 5 sec · Alby Street

Arrive at destination

Alby Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 5-hour and 28-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest congestion on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway. Since the route is 96% highway, you will find it easy to maintain a steady speed, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge to ensure you stay within your $42 budget. Planning for your one recommended stop around the midway point will help keep you refreshed for the transition from I-55 to State Route 140. Because this is a one-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; you can easily adjust your pace to arrive in Alton by the afternoon. Always check local traffic reports for the Chicago area before you head out, as the initial stretch can be unpredictable.

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 142 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 142 miles or 2h 44m 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 22m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Chicago, 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 Chicago, IL

This is one driving day of about 283.9 miles and 5h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chicago, 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 128.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 142 mi from Chicago, IL · 2h 44m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

142 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 142 miles from Chicago, 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 128.7 miles.

Arriving in Alton, IL

The final approach into Alton, 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 Alton, 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

$43.12 one way

$86.24 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$47.54	$95.07
premium	$4.80	$53.59	$107.19
diesel	$5.64	$63.07	$126.15

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	85.2	1	$29.81	$13.63
Efficient EV	71	0	$24.84	$11.36
EV Truck/SUV	113.6	1	$39.75	$18.17

Gas CO2

99 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Chicago, IL

Afternoon in Chicago on Sunday

Local time

2:54 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alton, IL

Afternoon in Alton on Sunday

Local time

2:54 PM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

53°F

Bloomington, IL

142 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

11 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 28m 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 Chicago, IL to Alton, IL covers 283.9 miles and takes about 5h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55, State Route 140. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 142 miles from Chicago, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.12 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 Chicago, IL and Alton, IL, road signs point toward Springfield and Greenville.

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Return Trip

Alton, IL to Chicago, IL

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283.5 mi 5h 28m

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Trip from Chicago, IL to Alton, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

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 Alton, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Chicago, IL

Alton, IL

Same local time

11 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 28m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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