Origin
Chicago, IL
Evening in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
6:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 45m
Distance
192.8 mi
310 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Riverton, IL
Mike Tyurin
Traveling from Chicago to Riverton covers 192.8 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is entirely within Illinois, you will remain in the Midwest for the duration of your trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $29, this route is efficient and well-suited for a single-day excursion. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors like the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I-55. While you could easily complete this drive in one go, planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the travel. It is a straightforward, practical route for anyone looking to traverse the state quickly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
96.4 miles from Chicago, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 95% of your trip takes place on high-speed roads. The route features a significant, uninterrupted 128.7-mile stretch along the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, which dictates the steady pace of the journey. Because you are primarily utilizing the Stevenson Expressway and I-55, the driving personality is consistent and efficient rather than technical or winding. You will find that the road maintains a predictable rhythm, allowing you to settle into a steady flow for the majority of the nearly four-hour duration. Prepare for a classic Midwest interstate drive where the primary goal is covering ground effectively.
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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 192.8 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: St Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
On the drive from Chicago, IL to Riverton, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Springfield along the way.
Springfield
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 128.7 mi | 2h 26m |
| I 55 | 47.8 mi | 51m |
| Stevenson Expressway | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| South Williamsville Road | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| North 7th Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Valor Parkway | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Old Route 66 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Riverton, IL.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
Turn slight right
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 55
Continue on I 55
Continue on I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn slight left onto IL 123
Turn right onto Old Route 66
Continue on Valor Parkway
Turn right onto South Williamsville Road
Continue on CR 5A; CR 31
Continue on County Highway 5A
Continue on North 7th Street
Turn right onto East Lincoln Street
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 3 hour and 45 minute trip, aim to depart early to avoid potential traffic congestion near the Chicago metro area. Since you have a planned stop, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $29 fuel budget in mind as you plan your stops along I-55. Because the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to reach Riverton by early afternoon without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your mileage during the 128.7-mile stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway to ensure you stay alert despite the steady pace. Checking traffic reports before you leave the city will help you navigate the initial highway segment with ease.
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.
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 96.4 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverton, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 192.8 miles and 3h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.4 mi from Chicago, IL · 1h 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 96.4 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.7 miles.
The final approach into Riverton, 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 Riverton, 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.
Regular Gas
$29.28 one way
$58.57 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $32.28 | $64.57 |
| premium | $4.80 | $36.40 | $72.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $42.83 | $85.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.8 | 0 | $20.24 | $9.25 |
| Efficient EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.87 | $7.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.1 | 0 | $26.99 | $12.34 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
6:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Riverton on Sunday
Local time
6:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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