Trip from McHenry, IL to York, IL

Drive Time

6h 7m

Distance

281 mi

452 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 55m ★

6 AM

6h 8m

8 AM

6h 34m

10 AM

6h 17m

12 PM

6h 14m

3 PM

6h 18m

5 PM

6h 32m

8 PM

6h 0m

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

McHenry, IL

Stéphane Tendon

York, IL

NIKOLAI FOMIN

Trip Overview

The drive from McHenry, IL to York, IL covers 281 miles and takes about 6h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 57, I 74, South Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105.4 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.68 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

140.5 miles from McHenry, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 7m highway drive covering 281 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and I 74. The longest continuous stretch is about 105.4 miles on I 57.

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

There are about 52 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 105.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

815 ft 451 ft

Total Climb

386 ft

Total Descent

735 ft

Highest Point

815 ft

~82 mi in

Elevation Range

363 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and I 74. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 281 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 23.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 28.5 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 32 key points

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

23.8 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the ramp toward IL 53 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward IL 53 South

28.5 mi into trip | ~43m in | IL 53

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road

44.7 mi into trip | ~1h 4m 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

64.2 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Take the exit toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street

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 12 B-A Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th...

64.4 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Keep slight left at fork toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 12A Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from McHenry, IL to York, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana along the way.

Indiana

44.7 mi in | ~1h 4m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	105.4 mi	1h 54m
I 74	32.4 mi	35m
South Main Street	30.4 mi	45m
Georgetown Road	29.6 mi	44m
Tri-State Tollway	18.2 mi	23m
US 12	17.3 mi	24m
IL 53	11.3 mi	14m
I 290	9.3 mi	12m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 105.4 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between McHenry, IL and York, IL.

Start on this road

73 ft · 10 sec · this road

Turn left

109 ft · 10 sec

Turn right onto North Green Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · North Green Street

Turn right onto IL 120

2.6 mi · 4 min · West Elm Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on IL 120

1.1 mi · 1 min · Rand Road

Continue on IL 120

1.9 mi · 2 min · West Belvidere Road

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto US 12; IL 59

0.1 mi · 7 sec · US 12; IL 59

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 12; IL 59

0.1 mi · 7 sec · US 12; IL 59

Continue on US 12; IL 59

1.7 mi · 1 min · US 12; IL 59

Continue on US 12; IL 59

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 12; IL 59

Continue on US 12; IL 59

14 mi · 20 min · US 12; IL 59

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward IL 53 South Use the right lane.

Merge onto IL 53

4.4 mi · 5 min · IL 53

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53

7.0 mi · 9 min · IL 53

Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

Continue on I 294

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway

Exit 15A Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

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

Merge onto I 294

137 ft · 1 sec · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

4.8 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 294

3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 294

0.9 mi · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge

Continue on I 294

8.5 mi · 10 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 12 B-A Toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 12A Toward IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue Use the straight lane.

Turn straight onto IL 50; IL 83

4.9 mi · 7 min · Cicero Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto 167th Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · 167th Street

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80

Merge onto I 57

105 mi · 1 hr 54 min · I 57

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 26 sec

Exit 240 Toward Market Street

Turn left

96 ft · 5 sec

Turn left onto Market Street

3.2 mi · 4 min · Market Street

Turn right onto East Marketview Drive

0.3 mi · 39 sec · East Marketview Drive

Turn left onto North Neil Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · North Neil Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Merge onto I 74

32 mi · 35 min · I 74

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward US 150, IL 1

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 35 sec

Toward US 150 East, IL 1 South: Georgetown Road

Turn straight onto US 150; IL 1

14 mi · 20 min · Georgetown Road

Continue on US 150; IL 1

1.9 mi · 2 min · North State Street

Continue on US 150; IL 1

6.1 mi · 9 min · Georgetown Road

Continue on US 150; IL 1

0.3 mi · 28 sec · 1575 E US 36

Continue on US 150; IL 1

10 mi · 14 min · Georgetown Road

Continue on US 150; IL 1

1.4 mi · 3 min · IL Route 1

Turn right onto US 150; IL 1

512 ft · 8 sec · West Elliot Street

Turn left onto US 150; IL 1

1.7 mi · 2 min · North Central Avenue

Continue on IL 1

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Vandalia Way

Turn straight onto IL 1

30 mi · 45 min · South Main Street

Turn sharp left onto East 150th Road

1.9 mi · 7 min · East 150th Road

Continue on West Broadway Street

0.2 mi · 1 min · West Broadway Street

Turn left onto North York Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · North York Street

Arrive at destination

North York 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 140.5 miles from McHenry, IL, or about 2h 57m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.4 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 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 140.5 miles or 2h 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 4h 45m

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 McHenry, 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 McHenry, IL

This is one driving day of about 281 miles and 6h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from McHenry, 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 57 for about 105.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 140.5 mi from McHenry, IL · 2h 57m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Joliet, IL

141 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

Orland Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

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

Champaign, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 140.5 miles from McHenry, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.4 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.

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

$42.68 one way

$85.36 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$47.05	$94.10
premium	$4.80	$53.05	$106.09
diesel	$5.64	$62.43	$124.86

Estimated Tolls: $1.09

Tri-state Tollway (18.2 mi) $1.09

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	84.3	1	$29.50	$13.49
Efficient EV	70.3	0	$24.59	$11.24
EV Truck/SUV	112.4	1	$39.34	$17.98

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 2 days ago

Origin

McHenry, IL

Evening in McHenry on Sunday

Local time

5:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

York, IL

Evening in York on Sunday

Local time

5:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°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

8 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

6h 7m 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 McHenry, IL to York, IL covers 281 miles and takes about 6h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, I 74, South Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 140.5 miles from McHenry, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.68 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.

On the drive from McHenry, IL to York, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

York, IL to McHenry, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

282 mi 6h 9m

Explore more options from McHenry, IL or browse trips ending in York, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for McHenry, IL or York, IL on MapSof.net.

Trip from McHenry, IL to York, 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 York, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

McHenry, IL

York, IL

Same local time

8 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 7m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From York, IL

More from McHenry, IL

More trips to York, IL