Steven's Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Woodridge, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+16308109812
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 39m
Distance
294.5 mi
474 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
20 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elmwood Park, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Belleville, IL
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Elmwood Park, IL to Belleville, IL covers 294.5 miles and takes about 5h 39m 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, North Illinois Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 142.7 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.04 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
147.3 miles from Elmwood Park, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 142.7 mi | 2h 34m |
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 111.5 mi | 2h 2m |
| North Illinois Street | 9.3 mi | 14m |
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 8.6 mi | 10m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 7.6 mi | 9m |
| Eisenhower Expressway | 5 mi | 6m |
| North Harlem Avenue | 3.3 mi | 8m |
| Vandalia Street | 3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Elmwood Park, IL and Belleville, IL.
Start on this road
Turn right onto West Belden Avenue
Turn right
Turn left
Turn right onto IL 43
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
Take the exit
Merge onto I 355
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Take the exit
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Continue on IL 159
Turn left onto East F Street
Arrive at destination
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 65 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.3 miles or 2h 52m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belleville, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Elmwood Park, 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 Elmwood Park, IL
This is one driving day of about 294.5 miles and 5h 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
147 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 147.3 miles from Elmwood Park, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 142.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Woodridge, Illinois
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+16308109812
RT 138 Cafe
Mt Olive, Illinois
Happy Place Cafe
Shorewood, Illinois
Top Coffee Stop
Shorewood, Illinois
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+18156304235
Kafe De Kasa
Shorewood, Illinois
Emmys Cafe & Gaming
Braidwood, Illinois
Near the start, right off the route
Woodridge, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+16308109812
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Mt Olive, Illinois
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+12179992115
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Shorewood, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+18156661447
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Joliet, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–3 pm
+18157303838
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Woodridge, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+16309104100
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Oak Park, Illinois
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+17086132999
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Woodridge, Illinois
Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm
+16304270900
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Downers Grove, Illinois
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+16304478226
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Shorewood, Illinois
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+18156304235
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Shorewood, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+17792421902
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Crest Hill, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+18156303694
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Braidwood, Illinois
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+18153905133
Near the start, ~10 min detour
Berwyn, Illinois
Hours: 7 am–1 pm
+17084849794
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Coal City, Illinois
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+18155185375
Near the start, ~9 min detour
Joliet, Illinois
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+18476271095
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Lincoln, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12177354444
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887484261
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Normal, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887484273
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Normal, Illinois
+13094549590
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Bloomington, Illinois
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the start, ~12 min detour
Willowbrook, Illinois
Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 137.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward I 290 West
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Regular Gas
$46.04 one way
$92.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $50.55 | $101.10 |
| premium | $4.89 | $56.67 | $113.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $65.02 | $130.04 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.06
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
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
20 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Normal, Illinois
1 DCFC
Rivian Waypoints
Normal, Illinois
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Lincoln, Illinois
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Normal, Illinois
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Normal, Illinois
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Bloomington, Illinois
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Normal, Illinois
1 DCFC
Rivian Adventure Network
Normal, Illinois
1 DCFC
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 | 88.4 | 1 | $30.92 | $14.14 |
| Efficient EV | 73.6 | 0 | $25.77 | $11.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 117.8 | 1 | $41.23 | $18.85 |
Gas CO2
103 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Elmwood Park on Saturday
Local time
1:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Belleville on Saturday
Local time
1:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:06AM CDT until April 20 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:06AM CDT until April 20 at 5:48PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
52°F
Bloomington, IL
147 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
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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This is a 5h 39m highway drive covering 294.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 142.7 miles on I 55.
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 3.5 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 294.5 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 3.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elmwood Park, IL and Belleville, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Springfield.
Saint Louis
Joliet Road South
Springfield
Founded 1914
The Northwest Suburbs are in Chicagoland, primarily in northwestern Cook, southern Lake and northern DuPage County, centered along Metra’s North Central Service, though encompassing areas well beyond the rail line. The Northwestern Suburbs constitute the largest portion of Chicagoland outside of the city. For further-out suburbs, see Fox River Valley.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 294.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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