Trip from Marissa, IL to Elgin, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

6h 25m

Distance

308.9 mi

497 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

39 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

6h 13m ★

6 AM

6h 26m

8 AM

6h 51m

10 AM

6h 35m

12 PM

6h 32m

3 PM

6h 36m

5 PM

6h 49m

8 PM

6h 18m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Cook and Kane counties in the northern part of the U.S. state of Illinois

Elgin, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Marissa, IL to Elgin, IL covers 308.9 miles and takes about 6h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 55, North 3rd Street, IL 47 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 186.1 miles on I 55. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.29 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

154.5 miles from Marissa, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 12m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 25m. Total distance: 308.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 25m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

This is a 6h 25m highway drive covering 308.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and North 3rd Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 186.1 miles on I 55.

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

There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 186.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and North 3rd Street. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 145.7 miles in near I 55.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 308.9 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 145.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 175 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 238.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

145.7 mi into trip | ~3h 3m in | I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 North: Chicago

175 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

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 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

238.6 mi into trip | ~4h 42m in

Take the exit toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight

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 220 Toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight

275.2 mi into trip | ~5h 28m in | IL 126 / East Schoolhouse Road

At end of road, turn right onto IL 126 / East Schoolhouse Road

Navigation decision point

279 mi into trip | ~5h 33m in | Minkler Road

Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Marissa, IL and Elgin, IL, road signs point toward Peoria and Dwight.

Peoria

175 mi in | ~3h 34m | via I 55

Dwight

238.6 mi in | ~4h 42m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	186.1 mi	3h 20m
North 3rd Street	38.6 mi	59m
IL 47	32 mi	38m
IL 4	12.9 mi	21m
Orchard Road	11.2 mi	18m
South Randall Road	10.5 mi	17m
IL 31	6.1 mi	11m
Minkler Road	4.3 mi	6m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 186.1 mi, about 3h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Marissa, IL and Elgin, IL.

Start on North Borders Street

254 ft · 16 sec · North Borders Street

Turn left onto IL 13

0.5 mi · 59 sec · East Lyons Street

Turn left onto IL 4

13 mi · 21 min · IL 4

Turn right onto IL 4

39 mi · 59 min · North 3rd Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Merge onto I 55

93 mi · 1 hr 40 min · I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

64 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 35 sec

Exit 220 Toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto IL 47

32 mi · 38 min · IL 47

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto Walker Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · Walker Road

Turn left onto Ashley Road

2.8 mi · 3 min · Ashley Road

At end of road, turn right onto IL 126

0.5 mi · 46 sec · East Schoolhouse Road

Turn left onto Minkler Road

3.4 mi · 4 min · Minkler Road

Enter roundabout onto Minkler Road

126 ft · 3 sec · Minkler Road

Continue on Minkler Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Minkler Road

Continue on Orchard Road

11 mi · 18 min · Orchard Road

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto CR 34

10 mi · 17 min · South Randall Road

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto CR 5

1.0 mi · 1 min · Silver Glen Road

At end of road, turn left onto IL 31

6.1 mi · 11 min · IL 31

Turn right onto East Chicago Street

0.3 mi · 55 sec · East Chicago Street

Arrive at destination

East Chicago Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 154.5 miles from Marissa, IL, or about 3h 12m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.1 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 68 miles or 1h 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 154.5 miles or 3h 12m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Marissa, 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 Marissa, IL

This is one driving day of about 308.9 miles and 6h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Marissa, 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 55 for about 186.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 154.5 mi from Marissa, IL · 3h 12m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

154 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

Carlinville, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 154.5 miles from Marissa, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 186.1 miles.

Arriving in Elgin, IL

The final approach into Elgin, 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 Elgin, 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...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour Free near mile 117.2

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.29 one way

$96.59 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 108 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$53.02	$106.05
premium	$4.89	$59.45	$118.89
diesel	$5.61	$68.20	$136.40

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

39 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

County Market - Tesla Supercharger

Springfield, IL

Tesla

16 DCFC

Springfield, IL Rechargery Relay - S Dirksen Pkwy

Springfield, IL

IONNA

12 DCFC

Haymakers - Tesla Supercharger

Springfield, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Circle K - Tesla Supercharger

Normal, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Normal, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Oswego, IL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Pontiac, IL Rechargery Relay - 1 Holiday Road,

Pontiac, IL

IONNA

10 DCFC

Legacy Pointe - Tesla Supercharger

Springfield, IL

Tesla

8 DCFC

Tesla: 9 ChargePoint Network: 8 Non-Networked: 3 EV Connect: 3 eVgo Network: 2 UNIVERSAL: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 2 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 2 Electrify America: 2 IONNA: 2 FCN: 1 Blink Network: 1 CIRCLE_K: 1 RED_E: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	92.7	1	$32.43	$14.83
Efficient EV	77.2	0	$27.03	$12.36
EV Truck/SUV	123.6	1	$43.25	$19.77

Gas CO2

108 kg

EV CO2

36 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Marissa, IL

Evening in Marissa on Thursday

Local time

6:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elgin, IL

Evening in Elgin on Thursday

Local time

6:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Bloomington, IL

154 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

27 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 25m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Marissa, IL to Elgin, IL covers 308.9 miles and takes about 6h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, North 3rd Street, IL 47. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 154.5 miles from Marissa, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.29 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.