Origin
Hoffman Estates, IL
Night in Hoffman Estates on Thursday
Local time
9:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hoffman Estates, IL to Crete, IL
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 20m
Distance
53.8 mi
87 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 15m
★
6 AM
1h 21m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 24m
3 PM
1h 26m
5 PM
1h 33m
8 PM
1h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hoffman Estates, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Crete, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Hoffman Estates, IL to Crete, IL covers 53.8 miles and takes about 1h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Tri-State Tollway, I 290, Dixie Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 25.7 miles on Tri-State Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.41 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 20m. Total distance: 53.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 20m drive with frequent turns across 53.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 25.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 290.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.8 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.1 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
7.1 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 290
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290 toward I 290 East: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
8
16.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
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 15A
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
6
17.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
43.4 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward Hazel Crest, Homewood
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 4
Toward Hazel Crest, Homewood
7
43.9 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward Dixie Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 4
Toward Dixie Highway
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hoffman Estates, IL and Crete, IL, road signs point toward Indiana, Hazel Crest, Homewood and Dixie Highway.
Indiana
16.4 mi in
|
~23m
Hazel Crest
43.4 mi in
|
~58m
Homewood
43.4 mi in
|
~58m
Dixie Highway
43.9 mi in
|
~58m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 25.7 mi | 32m |
| I 290 | 13.5 mi | 17m |
| Dixie Highway | 5.1 mi | 10m |
| Chicago Road | 3.4 mi | 8m |
| West Higgins Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Mile-Long Bridge | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| I 80 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 25.7 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hoffman Estates, IL and Crete, IL.
1
Start on Bode Road
32 ft
·
8 sec
·
Bode Road
2
Turn left onto North Roselle Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North Roselle Road
3
Turn right onto IL 72
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Higgins Road
4
Turn right onto Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago
6
Merge onto I 290; IL 53
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 290; IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
I 290
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
11
Merge onto I 294
137 ft
·
1 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Mile-Long Bridge
15
Continue on I 294
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 4
Toward Hazel Crest, Homewood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 80
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 80
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 4
Toward Dixie Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto Dixie Highway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Dixie Highway
21
Continue on Dixie Highway
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Dixie Highway
22
At end of road, turn right onto Dixie Highway
4.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Dixie Highway
23
At end of road, turn right onto IL 1
3.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Chicago Road
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on IL 1
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Vincennes Boulevard
25
Continue on IL 1
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
IL 1
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.9 mi from Hoffman Estates, IL · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.9 miles from Hoffman Estates, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Crete, IL
The final approach into Crete, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.41 one way
$16.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.23 | $18.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.35 | $20.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.88 | $23.76 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.54
Tri-state Tollway
(25.7 mi)
$1.54
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$2
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.65 | $2.58 |
| Efficient EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.71 | $2.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.53 | $3.44 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Crete, IL
Night in Crete on Thursday
Local time
9:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
1h 20m 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 Hoffman Estates, IL to Crete, IL covers 53.8 miles and takes about 1h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, I 290, Dixie Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.9 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 $8.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.8 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.1 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.1 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hoffman Estates, IL and Crete, IL, road signs point toward Indiana, Hazel Crest, Homewood and Dixie Highway.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Crete, IL
More trips to Crete, IL
Explore more options from Hoffman Estates, IL or browse trips ending in Crete, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Hoffman Estates, IL or Crete, IL on MapSof.net.