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Trip from Chicago, IL to Mount Vernon, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 9m

Distance

277 mi

446 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 56m ★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 16m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 2m

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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Downtown chicago-il

Chicago, IL

Otoniel Alvarado

Downtown Mount Vernon, IL, IL

Mount Vernon, IL

Michaela Schmidt

Trip Overview

The drive from Chicago, IL to Mount Vernon, IL covers 277 miles and takes about 5h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express), Broadway Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 263.5 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.31 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

138.5 miles from Chicago, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 57 263.5 mi 4h 48m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) 8.8 mi 11m
Broadway Street 2.8 mi 5m
Dan Ryan Expressway 0.7 mi <1m
West Cermak Road 0.2 mi <1m
South Halsted Street 0.1 mi <1m
South Canalport Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 57 — 263.5 mi, about 4h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

0.2 mi · 1 min · this road
2

At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Cermak Road
3

Turn left onto South Halsted Street

0.1 mi · 17 sec · South Halsted Street
Use the left lane.
4

Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue

285 ft · 5 sec · South Canalport Avenue
5

Turn slight right

110 ft · 4 sec
6

Take the ramp

455 ft · 11 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 90, I 94 East: Indiana Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 90; I 94

0.7 mi · 47 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

8.8 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

201 mi · 3 hr 40 min · I 57
Exit 63 Toward I 57 South: Memphis Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

63 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward IL 15: Ashley, Mt. Vernon
13

Turn straight onto IL 15

2.8 mi · 5 min · Broadway Street
14

Arrive at destination

IL 15

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 138.5 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.5 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 61 miles or 1h 10m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 138.5 miles or 2h 36m 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 Mount Vernon, 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 277 miles and 5h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 I 57 for about 263.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

139 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

Kankakee, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 138.5 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 I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 263.5 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.

Top Restaurant

Gio's Cafe And Deli

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 10 am–9:30 pm

+13122256368

Visit website

Taipei Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Chicago, Illinois

0.4 mi

Kristoffer's Cafe & Bakery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago, Illinois

0.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cafe Jumping Bean

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chicago, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13124550019

Visit website

La Bodega Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Posen, Illinois

1.1 mi

Gio's Cafe And Deli

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–9:30 pm

+13122256368

Visit website

Taipei Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13123741986

Visit website

Kristoffer's Cafe & Bakery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+13128294150

Visit website

Asian bowl express

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 118.7

Rantoul, Illinois

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+12172821215

Visit website

Red Wheel Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 118.7

Rantoul, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12178930471

Visit website

Han 202 Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 5–10 pm

+13129491314

Visit website

Triple Crown Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13128420088

Visit website

Cafe Bionda

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 4 pm–12 am

+17088661243

Visit website

Cafe Jumping Bean

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13124550019

Visit website

La Bodega Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 19.8

Posen, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 178.1

Mattoon, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 138.5

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 138.5

Savoy, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 138.5

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 138.5

Champaign, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Hampton Inn Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 138.5

Champaign, Illinois

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 178.1

Mattoon, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 178.1

Mattoon, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

International Museum of Surgical Science, A Division of the International College of Surgeons

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Chicago, Illinois

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+13126426502

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 10.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | West Cermak Road

At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road

Navigation decision point

6
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | South Halsted Street

Turn left onto South Halsted Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
9
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 90, I 94 East: Indiana

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 90, I 94 East: Indiana
8
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
8
10.4 mi into trip | ~15m in | I 57

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 63 Toward I 57 South: Memphis

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.31 one way

$86.61 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $47.55 $95.10
premium $4.89 $53.31 $106.61
diesel $5.61 $61.16 $122.32

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: 96.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.1 1 $29.08 $13.30
Efficient EV 69.3 0 $24.24 $11.08
EV Truck/SUV 110.8 1 $38.78 $17.73

Gas CO2

97 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

Chicago, IL

Afternoon in Chicago on Saturday

Local time

12:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mount Vernon, IL

Afternoon in Mount Vernon on Saturday

Local time

12:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

56°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

5 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 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 9.6
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

277 mi in 5h 9m, mostly highway — 263.5 mi of that is on I 57.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 263.5 mi on I 57.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Cermak Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 277 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Navigation decision point; 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.

About the Cities

Starting in Chicago, IL

Full guide →

Chicago is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. "Stormy, Husky, Brawling / City of Big Shoulders," Chicago is a Heartland boomtown, its ethos defined by urban planner Daniel Burnham's immortal vision: "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." It is one of the world's great cities and the third largest city in the United States, behind only New York City and Los Angeles. As the hub of the Midwest, Chicago is easy to find — its picturesque skyline calls across the waters of Lake Michigan, a first impression that soon reveals world-class museums of art and science, miles of sandy beaches, huge parks and public art, and perhaps the finest downtown collection of modern architecture in the world.

Top landmarks

  • • Willis Tower — skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois
  • • Art Institute of Chicago — art museum and school in Chicago, United States
  • • Wrigley Field — baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, USA; home venue of the Chicago Cubs

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 277 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 (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 263.5 miles on I 57. 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 Mount Vernon, 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 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Navigation decision point; 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.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mount Vernon, IL before the return drive.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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