The drive from Crest Hill, IL to Decatur, IL covers 119.4 miles and takes about 2h 32m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, Jaycee Drive, North Railroad Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 52.3 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.67 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
59.7 miles from Crest Hill, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 119.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Crest Hill, IL to Decatur, IL covers 119.4 miles and takes about 2h 32m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 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 52.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Bethesda Drive.
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 14 significant decision points across 119.4 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 0.1 miles (Bethesda Drive): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.1 miles (I 255; US 50): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Bethesda Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Bethesda Drive
Navigation decision point
5
4.5 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward I 255 North, US 50 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 255 North, US 50 North: Chicago
5
5.1 mi into trip|~10m in|I 255; US 50
Merge onto I 255; US 50
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
21.4 mi into trip|~29m in|I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
6
65.7 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 48, IL 127: Raymond, Taylorville, Hillsboro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IL 48, IL 127: Raymond, Taylorville, Hil...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Crest Hill, IL and Decatur, IL, road signs point toward Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City, Taylorville and Hillsboro.
Chicago
12.3 mi in|~18m
Springfield
21.4 mi in|~29m|via I 55
Kansas City
21.4 mi in|~29m|via I 55
Taylorville
65.4 mi in|~1h 17m
Hillsboro
65.4 mi in|~1h 17m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
52.3 mi
56m
Jaycee Drive
18.4 mi
22m
North Railroad Avenue
12.9 mi
15m
Sarpy Street
12.2 mi
21m
I 255
7.2 mi
8m
North 22nd Avenue
7.2 mi
10m
Old Saint Louis Road
1.9 mi
3m
IL 105
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 52.3 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crest Hill, IL and Decatur, IL.
1
Start on Belvedere Drive
0.1 mi·34 sec·Belvedere Drive
2
At end of road, turn left onto Bethesda Drive
0.2 mi·52 sec·Bethesda Drive
3
Turn right onto Bernard Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Bernard Drive
4
Turn straight onto Eiler Road
0.2 mi·29 sec·Eiler Road
5
Turn left onto IL 13
1.9 mi·3 min·Old Saint Louis Road
6
Enter roundabout onto IL 157
17 ft·0 sec·South 88th Street
7
Continue on IL 157
0.8 mi·1 min·South 88th Street
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
9
Merge onto IL 15
0.8 mi·56 sec·New Missouri Avenue
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 255 North, US 50 North: Chicago
11
Merge onto I 255; US 50
7.2 mi·8 min·I 255; US 50
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Indianapolis, Chicago
13
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
8.3 mi·9 min·I 55; I 70; US 40
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
44 mi·47 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·31 sec
Toward IL 48, IL 127: Raymond, Taylorville, Hillsboro
16
Keep slight right at fork
147 ft·2 sec
Toward IL 48, IL 127: Raymond, Taylorville, Hillsboro
17
Turn straight onto IL 48; IL 127
7.2 mi·10 min·North 22nd Avenue
18
Continue on IL 48
12 mi·21 min·Sarpy Street
19
Continue on IL 48
0.6 mi·51 sec·County Road 975 N
20
Continue on IL 48
18 mi·22 min·Jaycee Drive
21
Continue on IL 48
13 mi·15 min·North Railroad Avenue
22
Turn right onto IL 105
0.8 mi·1 min·West South Side Drive
23
Turn slight left onto IL 105
1.4 mi·2 min·IL 105
24
Turn left onto East Wood Street
507 ft·15 sec·East Wood Street
25
Arrive at destination
East Wood Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.7 miles from Crest Hill, IL, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.3 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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.7 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Decatur, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Crest Hill, 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 Crest Hill, IL
This is one driving day of about 119.4 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Crest Hill, 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 52.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.7 mi from Crest Hill, IL
· 1h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 94.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.67 one way
$37.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.50
$40.99
premium
$4.89
$22.98
$45.95
diesel
$5.61
$26.36
$52.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.8
0
$12.54
$5.73
Efficient EV
29.9
0
$10.45
$4.78
EV Truck/SUV
47.8
0
$16.72
$7.64
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Crest Hill, IL
Morning
in Crest Hill on Saturday
Local time
7:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Decatur, IL
Morning
in Decatur on Saturday
Local time
7:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
6 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
2h 32m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Crest Hill, IL to Decatur, IL covers 119.4 miles and takes about 2h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Jaycee Drive, North Railroad Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.7 miles from Crest Hill, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.67 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 119.4 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: at 0.1 miles (Bethesda Drive): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.1 miles (I 255; US 50): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Crest Hill, IL and Decatur, IL, road signs point toward Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City, Taylorville and Hillsboro.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.
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.
