Origin
Edwardsville, IL
Morning in Edwardsville on Tuesday
Local time
8:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Edwardsville, IL to Wood River, IL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
15m
Distance
9 mi
14 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 14m
★
6 AM
0h 15m
8 AM
0h 18m
10 AM
0h 16m
12 PM
0h 16m
3 PM
0h 16m
5 PM
0h 18m
8 PM
0h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Edwardsville, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Wood River, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are traveling between Edwardsville and Wood River, you are looking at a quick 9-mile trip that typically takes about 15 minutes. This Midwest route is a straightforward local drive that functions perfectly as a brief outing, meaning you certainly do not need an overnight stay to complete it. With a fuel budget of just $1, it is an incredibly economical way to navigate between these two Illinois cities. Because there are no required stops along the way, the journey is efficient and moves directly from point A to point B. It is the ideal choice for those who need to get across the region quickly without the hassle of long-distance planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
4.5 miles from Edwardsville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features zero percent highway driving. You will navigate via Edwardsville Road, North Main Street, and Madison Avenue to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 6.2 miles along Edwardsville Road, which provides the most consistent segment of the trip. Since the entire drive relies on local roads, you should prepare for frequent turns and a slower, more deliberate pace compared to an interstate commute. This setup keeps you engaged behind the wheel while you transition through the local landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Edwardsville Road is the longest continuous segment at about 6.2 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
545 ft
428 ft
Total Climb
159 ft
Total Descent
273 ft
Highest Point
545 ft
Elevation Range
117 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IL 143; IL 157 / East Vandalia Street.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Edwardsville, IL to Wood River, IL is easy. At 15m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 143; IL 157 / East Vandalia Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (IL 143; IL 159 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 9 miles (East Ferguson Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
3 of 3 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 143; IL 157 / East Vandalia Street
Turn left onto IL 143; IL 157 / East Vandalia Street
Navigation decision point
3
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 143; IL 159 / North Main Street
Turn right onto IL 143; IL 159 / North Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
East Ferguson Avenue
Turn right onto East Ferguson Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Edwardsville Road | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| North Main Street | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Madison Avenue | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| East Vandalia Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Wood River Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Ferguson Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Buchanan Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Edwardsville Road
— 6.2 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Edwardsville, IL and Wood River, IL.
1
Start on South Buchanan Street
120 ft
·
9 sec
·
South Buchanan Street
2
Turn left onto IL 143; IL 157
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Vandalia Street
3
Turn right onto IL 143; IL 159
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
4
Continue on IL 143
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Edwardsville Road
5
Continue on IL 143
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Madison Avenue
6
Turn slight right
206 ft
·
7 sec
7
Turn slight right onto South Wood River Avenue
220 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Wood River Avenue
8
Turn right onto East Ferguson Avenue
164 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Ferguson Avenue
9
Arrive at destination
East Ferguson Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 15-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time and pace. You won't need to worry about planning rest breaks or complex refueling stops, as the $1 fuel estimate confirms how light this trip is on your vehicle. Keep a close watch on your navigation as you transition between Edwardsville Road, North Main Street, and Madison Avenue, as the turn-heavy nature of the route requires your full attention. Take advantage of the short duration to plan your arrival in Wood River without the stress of managing a long-haul itinerary. Simply enjoy the quick, direct nature of this local Illinois connection.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 4.5 miles from Edwardsville, IL, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.2 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 9 miles or 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.5 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wood River, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Edwardsville, 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 Edwardsville, IL
This is one driving day of about 9 miles and 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Edwardsville, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Edwardsville Road for about 6.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.5 mi from Edwardsville, IL · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 4.5 miles from Edwardsville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wood River, IL
The final approach into Wood River, 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 Wood River, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.37 one way
$2.73 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $1.51 | $3.01 |
| premium | $4.80 | $1.70 | $3.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.00 | $4.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.7 | 0 | $0.94 | $0.43 |
| Efficient EV | 2.3 | 0 | $0.79 | $0.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.26 | $0.58 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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.
Destination
Wood River, IL
Morning in Wood River on Tuesday
Local time
8:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
1 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
15m 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 Edwardsville, IL to Wood River, IL covers 9 miles and takes about 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Edwardsville Road, North Main Street, Madison Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4.5 miles from Edwardsville, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.37 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.
The drive from Edwardsville, IL to Wood River, IL is easy. At 15m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IL 143; IL 157 / East Vandalia Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (IL 143; IL 159 / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 9 miles (East Ferguson Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Edwardsville, IL to Wood River, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 428 ft to 545 ft elevation with about 159 ft of total climbing.
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