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Trip from Elmwood Park, IL to Decatur, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 40m

Distance

182.9 mi

294 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 28m ★
6 AM
3h 41m
8 AM
4h 6m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 47m
3 PM
3h 51m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Elmwood Park, IL

Wikimedia Commons

city in Macon County, Illinois, United States

Decatur, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Elmwood Park, IL to Decatur, IL covers 182.9 miles and takes about 3h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Adlai Stevenson Expressway, North Walnut Street, North 1450 East Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 111.5 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.59 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

91.4 miles from Elmwood Park, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 111.5 mi 2h 2m
North Walnut Street 23.2 mi 29m
North 1450 East Road 14.7 mi 17m
Veterans Memorial Tollway 8.6 mi 10m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 7.6 mi 9m
Eisenhower Expressway 5 mi 6m
US 51 Business 4.7 mi 7m
North Harlem Avenue 3.3 mi 8m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 111.5 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elmwood Park, IL and Decatur, IL.

1

Start on this road

186 ft · 15 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto West Belden Avenue

0.1 mi · 31 sec · West Belden Avenue
3

Turn right

104 ft · 12 sec
4

Turn left

171 ft · 14 sec
5

Turn right onto IL 43

3.3 mi · 8 min · North Harlem Avenue
Use the left lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 290 West Use the right lane.
7

Merge onto I 290; IL 110

5.0 mi · 6 min · Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110

1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 15A Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana Use the slight left lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

5.8 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road) Use the slight right lane.
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Exit 131A Toward I 355 South: Joliet Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 355

8.6 mi · 10 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South Use the slight left lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 55

112 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 74; US 51

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 74; US 51
Toward I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
17

Take the exit onto US 51

0.3 mi · 39 sec · US 51
Exit 135 Toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
18

Continue on US 51

15 mi · 17 min · North 1450 East Road
Use the straight lane.
19

Continue on US 51

23 mi · 29 min · North Walnut Street
20

Turn straight onto US 51 Business

4.7 mi · 7 min · US 51 Business
21

Turn left onto East Wood Street

298 ft · 8 sec · East Wood Street
22

Arrive at destination

East Wood Street

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 91.4 miles from Elmwood Park, IL, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.5 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 40 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 91.4 miles or 1h 51m 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 57m

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 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 182.9 miles and 3h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Elmwood Park, 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 Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 111.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Normal, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

91 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

Joliet, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Reading, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.4 miles from Elmwood Park, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive mile 13.1

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Bloomin Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Normal, Illinois

0.7 mi

Simon's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Villa Park, Illinois

1.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crest Hill, Illinois

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 39.2

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

121 Coffee Run

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Decatur, Illinois

1.8 mi

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shorewood, Illinois

2.4 mi

Ditka's Oakbrook

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Expensive mile 13.1

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16305722200

Visit website

Bloomin Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 130.6

Normal, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+13098081071

Visit website

Simon's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.1

Villa Park, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16305300200

Visit website

J. Alexander's Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Expensive mile 13.1

Oak Brook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16305738180

Visit website

Taste of Jerusalem

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 39.2

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–7:30 pm

+18157826500

Visit website

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 26.1

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16307830684

Visit website

Rosemary Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 39.2

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18157824094

Visit website

Urban Kitchen

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 39.2

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+18157826417

Visit website

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 39.2

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

121 Coffee Run

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 182.9

Decatur, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+12175427962

Visit website

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 39.2

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Ten Drops Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 39.2

Plainfield, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16306962137

Visit website

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 39.2

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17792421902

Visit website

Friendly Coffee Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Berwyn, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17084849794

Visit website

Bonny's Bistro

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 39.2

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18476271095

Visit website

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 65.3

Coal City, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18155185375

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 130.6

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Waypoints

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 130.6

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484261

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 130.6

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484273

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 130.6

Normal, Illinois

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 130.6

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 130.6

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 130.6

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 182.9

Decatur, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18776642738

Visit website

Prairie Trail Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 13.1

Willowbrook, Illinois

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 25.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
3.5 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the ramp toward I 290 West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 290 West
9
8.7 mi into trip | ~17m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 15A Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora...
8
10.6 mi into trip | ~19m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
7
16.3 mi into trip | ~26m 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
25.6 mi into trip | ~38m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.59 one way

$57.19 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $31.40 $62.79
premium $4.89 $35.20 $70.39
diesel $5.61 $40.38 $80.76

Estimated Tolls: $1.06

Veterans Memorial Tollway (8.6 mi) $0.60
Reagan Memorial Tollway (7.6 mi) $0.46

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

$29

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 64 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.9 0 $19.20 $8.78
Efficient EV 45.7 0 $16.00 $7.32
EV Truck/SUV 73.2 0 $25.61 $11.71

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 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 15, 2026

Origin

Elmwood Park, IL

Afternoon in Elmwood Park on Saturday

Local time

3:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Decatur, IL

Afternoon in Decatur on Saturday

Local time

3:27 PM

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

3 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

3h 40m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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 6.3
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

182.9 mi in 3h 40m, mostly highway — 111.5 mi of that is on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.5 mi on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and North Walnut Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 17 significant decision points across 182.9 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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Elmwood Park, IL and Decatur, IL, road signs point toward 22Nd Street (Cermak Road), Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Bloomington.

22Nd Street (Cermak Road)

10.6 mi in | ~19m | via I 88; IL 110

Saint Louis

25.6 mi in | ~38m

Joliet Road South

25.9 mi in | ~38m

Bloomington

140 mi in | ~2h 44m | via US 51

About the Cities

Starting in Elmwood Park, IL

Full guide →

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.

Arriving in Decatur, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1823

Decatur is a city in Macon county, Illinois. There are many examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's influence on the Prairie Style Architecture in Decatur.

Top landmarks

  • Decatur Downtown Historic District — historic district in Decatur, Illinois
  • Decatur Historic District — historic district in Decatur, Illinois
  • Wabash Railroad Station and Railway Express Agency — railway station in Decatur, Illinois, United States

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 182.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.5 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.06 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Decatur, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Decatur, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

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