Trip from Maryville, IL to Chicago, IL

Drive Time

5h 14m

Distance

279.6 mi

450 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 1m ★
6 AM
5h 14m
8 AM
5h 41m
10 AM
5h 24m
12 PM
5h 21m
3 PM
5h 25m
5 PM
5h 40m
8 PM
5h 6m

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

Downtown Maryville, IL, IL

Maryville, IL

Mike Tyurin

Downtown chicago-il

Chicago, IL

Otoniel Alvarado

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Maryville to Chicago, expect a 280-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes. This trip is well-suited for a single day of driving, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a more leisurely pace. You should budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you will experience a unique, turn-heavy drive through the Illinois landscape. It is a straightforward trek within the Midwest that connects the southern part of the state toward the urban hub of Chicago. Keep in mind that the local nature of the roads makes this a more engaged driving experience than a standard highway cruise.

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

139.8 miles from Maryville, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .

Drive Character

Prepare for a drive that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed interstate cruising. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend your time navigating South Center Street and Maryville Road rather than monotonous multi-lane expressways. This turn-heavy local drive demands your full attention as you transition between various surface streets. Because the route lacks long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, you will find the pace of travel is dictated by the character of the local roads themselves. Expect a consistent driving environment that requires frequent adjustments and careful navigation as you head north.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 271.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in near I 55.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 279.6 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 5.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

8
5.5 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 55

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
8
142.7 mi into trip | ~2h 35m 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 none lane. Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
8
276.7 mi into trip | ~5h 7m in

Take the exit toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue

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 290 Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
8
276.9 mi into trip | ~5h 7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward Damen Avenue
9
277.1 mi into trip | ~5h 8m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Maryville, IL to Chicago, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

142.7 mi in | ~2h 35m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 55 271.7 mi 5h
Stevenson Expressway 3.6 mi 4m
West Cermak Road 0.8 mi 1m
South Damen Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
South Blue Island Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
Maryville Road 0.5 mi <1m
S Center Street 0.4 mi <1m
South Center Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 55 — 271.7 mi, about 5h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Maryville, IL and Chicago, IL.

1

Start on East Main Street

175 ft · 15 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn left onto IL 159

0.3 mi · 28 sec · South Center Street
3

Continue on IL 159

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Maryville Road
4

Continue on IL 159

0.4 mi · 33 sec · S Center Street
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East
6

Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40

4.1 mi · 4 min · I 55; I 70; US 40
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

108 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City Use the none lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

130 mi · 2 hr 27 min · I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the none lane.
10

Continue on I 55

3.6 mi · 4 min · Stevenson Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 290 Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward Damen Avenue Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

440 ft · 12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue Use the left lane.
14

Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Damen Avenue
15

Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Blue Island Avenue
Use the none lane.
16

Turn right onto West Cermak Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
17

Turn right

152 ft · 11 sec
18

Turn right

0.2 mi · 58 sec
19

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4-hour and 15-minute trip, plan for at least one scheduled stop to stretch your legs and manage the fatigue that comes with a turn-heavy route. Since this is a local-road-intensive drive, staying alert is key, so consider departing early in the morning to navigate the busiest sections before traffic peaks. Flexibility is a major advantage here; without the rigidity of interstate corridors, you can easily adjust your pace as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as local stop-and-go driving can fluctuate your consumption, though the $42 estimate remains a solid baseline for your budget. Most importantly, ensure your GPS is updated and reliable for the specific local turns required on South Center Street and Maryville Road.

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 139.8 miles from Maryville, IL, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 271.7 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 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 139.8 miles or 2h 31m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 12m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Maryville, 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 Maryville, IL

This is one driving day of about 279.6 miles and 5h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Maryville, 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 271.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 139.8 mi from Maryville, IL · 2h 31m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, IL

140 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.

Popular next leg

Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL

131.7 mi · 2h 39m

Pacing Suggestions

Decatur, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 139.8 miles from Maryville, 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 271.7 miles.

Arriving in Chicago, IL

The final approach into Chicago, 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 Chicago, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.47 one way

$84.94 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $46.82 $93.63
premium $4.80 $52.78 $105.57
diesel $5.64 $62.12 $124.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 97.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.9 1 $29.36 $13.42
Efficient EV 69.9 0 $24.47 $11.18
EV Truck/SUV 111.8 1 $39.14 $17.89

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 16 hours ago

Origin

Maryville, IL

Afternoon in Maryville on Sunday

Local time

3:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chicago, IL

Afternoon in Chicago on Sunday

Local time

3:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

53°F

Bloomington, IL

140 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

23 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

5h 14m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Maryville, IL to Chicago, IL covers 279.6 miles and takes about 5h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Stevenson Expressway, West Cermak Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.8 miles from Maryville, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.47 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 279.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Maryville, IL to Chicago, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

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