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Trip from Elmhurst, IL to Granite City, IL

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

5h 20m

Distance

284 mi

457 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 7m ★
6 AM
5h 20m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 30m
12 PM
5h 27m
3 PM
5h 31m
5 PM
5h 46m
8 PM
5h 12m

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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city in Illinois, United States

Elmhurst, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Madison County, Illinois, United States

Granite City, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Elmhurst, IL to Granite City, IL covers 284 miles and takes about 5h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 270 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 137.7 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.40 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

142 miles from Elmhurst, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 5h 20m highway drive covering 284 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 137.7 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 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 137.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 284 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 3.4 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

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

7
3.4 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Merge onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
7
8.9 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward I 355 South: Joliet

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 131A Toward I 355 South: Joliet
8
18.2 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
7
18.5 mi into trip | ~26m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Joliet Road South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward Joliet Road South
8
130.5 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | I 55

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Elmhurst, IL and Granite City, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Springfield.

Saint Louis

18.2 mi in | ~25m

Joliet Road South

18.5 mi in | ~26m

Springfield

130.5 mi in | ~2h 29m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 137.7 mi 2h 28m
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 111.5 mi 2h 2m
I 270 9.5 mi 11m
Veterans Memorial Tollway 8.6 mi 10m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 5.5 mi 6m
Nameoki Road 3.5 mi 5m
South York Street 2.1 mi 4m
Madison Avenue 1.6 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 137.7 mi, about 2h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elmhurst, IL and Granite City, IL.

1

Start on this road

267 ft · 25 sec · this road
2

Turn left

51 ft · 9 sec
3

Turn left onto West Park Avenue

362 ft · 13 sec · West Park Avenue
4

Turn right onto South York Street

2.1 mi · 4 min · South York Street
5

Continue on South York Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · South York Road
6

Turn right onto Frontage Road

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 88 West, IL 110: West Aurora
8

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

5.5 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road) Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Exit 131A Toward I 355 South: Joliet Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 355

8.6 mi · 10 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South Use the slight left lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 55

112 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

65 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

73 mi · 1 hr 18 min · I 55
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 32 sec
Exit 20B Toward I 270 West: Kansas City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Merge onto I 270

9.5 mi · 11 min · I 270
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 27 sec
Exit 4 Toward IL 203: Granite City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 26 sec
Toward IL 203 South: Granite City
21

Keep slight left at fork

329 ft · 11 sec
Toward IL 203 South: Granite City
22

Turn left onto IL 203

3.5 mi · 5 min · Nameoki Road
23

Turn right onto Madison Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · Madison Avenue
24

Turn right onto Niedringhaus Avenue

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Niedringhaus Avenue
25

Arrive at destination

Niedringhaus Avenue

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 142 miles from Elmhurst, IL, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.7 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 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 142 miles or 2h 42m 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 20m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst, IL

This is one driving day of about 284 miles and 5h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elmhurst, 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 137.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 142 mi from Elmhurst, IL · 2h 42m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

142 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

Normal, 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 142 miles from Elmhurst, 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 137.7 miles.

Arriving in Granite City, IL

The final approach into Granite City, 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 Granite City, 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 ~11 min detour Free near mile 195.8
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...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.40 one way

$88.80 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $48.75 $97.50
premium $4.89 $54.65 $109.31
diesel $5.61 $62.70 $125.41

Estimated Tolls: $0.93

Veterans Memorial Tollway (8.6 mi) $0.60
Reagan Memorial Tollway (5.5 mi) $0.33

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.2 1 $29.82 $13.63
Efficient EV 71 0 $24.85 $11.36
EV Truck/SUV 113.6 1 $39.76 $18.18

Gas CO2

99 kg

EV CO2

33 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 4 days ago

Origin

Elmhurst, IL

Evening in Elmhurst on Tuesday

Local time

8:53 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Granite City, IL

Evening in Granite City on Tuesday

Local time

8:53 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

53°F

Bloomington, IL

142 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

21 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 20m 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 Elmhurst, IL to Granite City, IL covers 284 miles and takes about 5h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 270. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142 miles from Elmhurst, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.40 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 21 significant decision points across 284 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 3.4 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elmhurst, IL and Granite City, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Springfield.

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