Trip from Hoffman Estates, IL to Clear Lake, IL

Drive Time

3h 49m

Distance

201.1 mi

324 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 37m ★

6 AM

3h 50m

8 AM

4h 15m

10 AM

3h 59m

12 PM

3h 56m

3 PM

4h 0m

5 PM

4h 14m

8 PM

3h 42m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Hoffman Estates, IL

Choco Kitty

Clear Lake, IL

Tommes Frites

Trip Overview

The drive from Hoffman Estates, IL to Clear Lake, IL covers 201.1 miles and takes about 3h 49m 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, I 55, I 355 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 111.5 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.55 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

100.6 miles from Hoffman Estates, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 49m highway drive covering 201.1 miles, with most of the trip on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 111.5 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 111.5 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

806 ft 558 ft

Total Climb

309 ft

Total Descent

517 ft

Highest Point

806 ft

~134.1 mi in

Elevation Range

248 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in near I 355.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 201.1 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 7.1 miles (I 355): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

7.1 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 355

Keep slight left at fork onto I 355 toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 7 Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

27.2 mi into trip | ~36m 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

27.5 mi into trip | ~36m 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

27.9 mi into trip | ~37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

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

139.6 mi into trip | ~2h 40m 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 Along This Route

Between Hoffman Estates, IL and Clear Lake, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Springfield.

Saint Louis

27.2 mi in | ~36m

Joliet Road South

27.5 mi in | ~36m

Springfield

139.6 mi in | ~2h 40m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway	111.5 mi	2h 2m
I 55	57.8 mi	1h 2m
I 355	20.1 mi	25m
I 290	4.2 mi	5m
West Higgins Road	2.5 mi	4m
Camp Butler Road	1.6 mi	2m
Old Route 36	0.8 mi	1m
South Camp Butler Road	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 111.5 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hoffman Estates, IL and Clear Lake, IL.

Start on Bode Road

32 ft · 8 sec · Bode Road

Turn left onto North Roselle Road

0.1 mi · 11 sec · North Roselle Road

Turn right onto IL 72

2.5 mi · 4 min · West Higgins Road

Turn right onto Frontage Road

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Frontage Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago

Merge onto I 290; IL 53

4.2 mi · 5 min · I 290; IL 53

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 355

20 mi · 25 min · I 355

Exit 7 Toward I 355 South Tollway: Joliet Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

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

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Toward Joliet Road South Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec

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

Merge onto I 55

112 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

58 mi · 1 hr 2 min · I 55

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

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 57 sec

Toward IL 54 East: Clinton

Turn straight onto IL 54

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East Sangamon Avenue

Turn slight right onto Camp Butler Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · Camp Butler Road

Continue on South Camp Butler Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Camp Butler Road

At end of road, turn right onto Old Route 36

0.8 mi · 1 min · Old Route 36

Turn left onto North Dixon Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · North Dixon Street

Turn left onto West Houston Street

491 ft · 16 sec · West Houston Street

Arrive at destination

West Houston 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 100.6 miles from Hoffman Estates, IL, or about 1h 57m 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 100.6 miles or 1h 57m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 7m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Hoffman Estates, 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 Hoffman Estates, IL

This is one driving day of about 201.1 miles and 3h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hoffman Estates, 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 100.6 mi from Hoffman Estates, IL · 1h 57m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Normal, IL

101 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.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100.6 miles from Hoffman Estates, 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.

Arriving in Clear Lake, IL

The final approach into Clear Lake, 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 Clear Lake, 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

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 ~10 min detour Free near mile 201.1

View on nps.gov

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 near mile 27.7

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.55 one way

$61.09 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$33.67	$67.34
premium	$4.80	$37.96	$75.93
diesel	$5.64	$44.68	$89.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	60.3	0	$21.12	$9.65
Efficient EV	50.3	0	$17.60	$8.04
EV Truck/SUV	80.4	1	$28.15	$12.87

Gas CO2

70 kg

EV CO2

24 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 3 hours ago

Origin

Hoffman Estates, IL

Evening in Hoffman Estates on Sunday

Local time

5:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 25 mph 31% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 1:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:16PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Destination

Clear Lake, IL

Evening in Clear Lake on Sunday

Local time

5:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 23 mph 45% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 1:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:16PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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 49m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Hoffman Estates, IL to Clear Lake, IL covers 201.1 miles and takes about 3h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, I 55, I 355. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 100.6 miles from Hoffman Estates, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.55 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.

Between Hoffman Estates, IL and Clear Lake, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis, Joliet Road South and Springfield.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 558 ft to 806 ft elevation with about 309 ft of total climbing.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Clear Lake, IL to Hoffman Estates, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

201.5 mi 3h 49m

Explore more options from Hoffman Estates, IL or browse trips ending in Clear Lake, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Hoffman Estates, IL or Clear Lake, IL on MapSof.net.

Trip from Hoffman Estates, IL to Clear Lake, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Clear Lake, IL

National Parks Near This Route

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

Pullman National Historical Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hoffman Estates, IL

Clear Lake, IL

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 49m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Clear Lake, IL

More from Hoffman Estates, IL

More trips to Clear Lake, IL