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Trip from East Saint Louis, IL to Elk Grove, IL

Drive Time

5h 32m

Distance

292.6 mi

471 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

45 DC fast

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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Downtown East Saint Louis, IL, IL

East Saint Louis, IL

Amicia Short

Downtown Elk Grove, IL, IL

Elk Grove, IL

Dick Hoskins

Trip Overview

The drive from East Saint Louis, IL to Elk Grove, IL covers 292.6 miles and takes about 5h 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, I 70, Kingery Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 255.4 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.44 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

146.3 miles from East Saint Louis, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 32m highway drive covering 292.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and I 70. The longest continuous stretch is about 255.4 miles on I 55.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 255.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 292.6 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 0.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

8
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Enter roundabout toward I 55 North, I 70 East

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
7
124.6 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
154 mi into trip | ~2h 48m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
8
272.3 mi into trip | ~4h 59m in

Keep slight left at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road
8
272.5 mi into trip | ~5h in

Keep slight right at fork toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North

Towns Along This Route

Between East Saint Louis, IL and Elk Grove, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.

Springfield

16.7 mi in | ~20m | via I 55

Kansas City

16.7 mi in | ~20m | via I 55

Peoria

154 mi in | ~2h 48m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 255.4 mi 4h 38m
I 70 15.6 mi 18m
Kingery Highway 15.5 mi 23m
Busse Road 3.1 mi 5m
Touhy Avenue 0.9 mi 2m
North 10th Street 0.4 mi <1m
North 9th Street 0.3 mi <1m
East Higgins Road 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 255.4 mi, about 4h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Saint Louis, IL and Elk Grove, IL.

1

Start on North 10th Street

0.4 mi · 53 sec · North 10th Street
2

Turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue

362 ft · 10 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
3

Turn right onto North 9th Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · North 9th Street
4

Enter roundabout onto North 9th Street

106 ft · 2 sec · North 9th Street
5

Continue on North 9th Street

0.1 mi · 11 sec · North 9th Street
6

Enter roundabout

224 ft · 3 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
7

Continue

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
8

Merge onto I 70

16 mi · 18 min · I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

108 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

118 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 274 Toward IL 83: Kingery Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward IL 83 North: Kingery Road North Use the right lane.
15

Continue on IL 83

16 mi · 23 min · Kingery Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on IL 83

3.1 mi · 5 min · Busse Road
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right onto Touhy Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · Touhy Avenue
18

Turn right onto IL 72

0.1 mi · 16 sec · East Higgins Road
19

Turn right onto South Elmhurst Road

349 ft · 7 sec · South Elmhurst Road
20

Arrive at destination

South Elmhurst Road

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 146.3 miles from East Saint Louis, IL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 255.4 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 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 146.3 miles or 2h 40m 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 23m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving East Saint Louis, 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 East Saint Louis, IL

This is one driving day of about 292.6 miles and 5h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from East Saint Louis, 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 255.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 146.3 mi from East Saint Louis, IL · 2h 40m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

146 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

Decatur, 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 146.3 miles from East Saint Louis, 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 255.4 miles.

Arriving in Elk Grove, IL

The final approach into Elk Grove, 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 Elk Grove, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 90.8
View on nps.gov
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...

18 mi from route ~44 min detour Free near mile 272.4
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.44 one way

$88.89 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $48.99 $97.99
premium $4.80 $55.24 $110.47
diesel $5.64 $65.01 $130.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 102.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

45 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

County Market - Tesla Supercharger

Springfield, IL

Tesla

16 DCFC

University Pointe I - Tesla Supercharger

Edwardsville, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Springfield, IL Rechargery Relay - S Dirksen Pkwy

Springfield, IL

IONNA

12 DCFC

Haymakers - Tesla Supercharger

Springfield, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Casey's General Store #2226 - Tesla Supercharger

Collinsville, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Springfield, IL

Springfield, IL

RIVIAN_ADVENTURE

8 DCFC

Legacy Pointe - Tesla Supercharger

Springfield, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Flying J Travel Center 642

Alorton, IL

eVgo Network

6 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 12 eVgo Network: 6 UNIVERSAL: 6 Tesla: 5 EV Connect: 3 Electrify America: 2 CIRCLE_K: 2 Non-Networked: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 2 FCN: 1 Blink Network: 1 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1 IONNA: 1 RED_E: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 87.8 1 $30.72 $14.04
Efficient EV 73.2 0 $25.60 $11.70
EV Truck/SUV 117 1 $40.96 $18.73

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 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 2 hours ago

Origin

East Saint Louis, IL

Morning in East Saint Louis on Monday

Local time

6:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elk Grove, IL

Morning in Elk Grove on Monday

Local time

6:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Mostly Cloudy

SW 15 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Along the Route

53°F

Bloomington, IL

146 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

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 32m 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 East Saint Louis, IL to Elk Grove, IL covers 292.6 miles and takes about 5h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 70, Kingery Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 146.3 miles from East Saint Louis, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.44 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 292.6 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 0.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between East Saint Louis, IL and Elk Grove, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.

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