Origin
Empire, IL
Evening in Empire on Wednesday
Local time
5:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Empire, IL to York, IL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
132 mi
212 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 51m
★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Empire, IL
Claudia Solano
York, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Empire, IL to York, IL covers 132 miles and takes about 3h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 74, South Main Street, Georgetown Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.6 miles on I 74. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.64 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
66 miles from Empire, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Empire, IL to York, IL covers 132 miles and takes about 3h 2m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 74 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 2m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (I 74): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 74 East: Champaign
Navigation decision point
Toward I 74 East: Champaign
5
2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 74
Merge onto I 74
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
63.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 150, IL 1
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 150, IL 1
7
63.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
5
129.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
East 150th Road
Turn sharp left onto East 150th Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 74 | 61.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| South Main Street | 30.4 mi | 45m |
| Georgetown Road | 29.6 mi | 44m |
| East 150th Road | 1.9 mi | 7m |
| North State Street | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| North Central Avenue | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| IL Route 1 | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| East 150 North Road | 1.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 74
— 61.6 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Empire, IL and York, IL.
1
Start on East 150 North Road
1.1 mi
·
4 min
·
East 150 North Road
2
Turn left onto US 136
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
East 200 North Road
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 74 East: Champaign
4
Merge onto I 74
62 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 74
Use the slight right lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward US 150, IL 1
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road
7
Turn straight onto US 150; IL 1
14 mi
·
20 min
·
Georgetown Road
8
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North State Street
9
Continue on US 150; IL 1
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Georgetown Road
10
Continue on US 150; IL 1
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
1575 E US 36
11
Continue on US 150; IL 1
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Georgetown Road
12
Continue on US 150; IL 1
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
IL Route 1
13
Turn right onto US 150; IL 1
512 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Elliot Street
14
Turn left onto US 150; IL 1
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Avenue
15
Continue on IL 1
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Vandalia Way
16
Turn straight onto IL 1
30 mi
·
45 min
·
South Main Street
17
Turn sharp left onto East 150th Road
1.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East 150th Road
18
Continue on West Broadway Street
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Street
19
Turn left onto North York Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North York Street
20
Arrive at destination
North York 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 66 miles from Empire, IL, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66 miles or 1h 17m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near York, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Empire, 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 Empire, IL
This is one driving day of about 132 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Empire, 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 74 for about 61.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66 mi from Empire, IL · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66 miles from Empire, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 74 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.6 miles.
Arriving in York, IL
The final approach into York, 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 York, 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
$20.64 one way
$41.27 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.66 | $45.32 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.40 | $50.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.14 | $58.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.86 | $6.34 |
| Efficient EV | 33 | 0 | $11.55 | $5.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.48 | $8.45 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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
York, IL
Evening in York on Wednesday
Local time
5:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°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 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 2m 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 Empire, IL to York, IL covers 132 miles and takes about 3h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 74, South Main Street, Georgetown Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66 miles from Empire, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.64 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 2m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (I 74): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Empire, IL to York, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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