Trip from Naperville, IL to Du Quoin, IL

Drive Time

6h 12m

Distance

329 mi

529 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

6h 0m ★

6 AM

6h 13m

8 AM

6h 38m

10 AM

6h 22m

12 PM

6h 19m

3 PM

6h 23m

5 PM

6h 37m

8 PM

6h 5m

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

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Naperville to Du Quoin, expect a straightforward journey spanning 329 miles. You should budget approximately 6 hours and 12 minutes of pure driving time, making this a doable day trip for those comfortable with a full day behind the wheel. Given the distance, you can easily complete this route in a single day, though you might prefer an overnight stay depending on your schedule. You will spend about $50 on fuel, so plan your budget accordingly. This drive takes you entirely through the Illinois Midwest, transitioning from the suburban outskirts of Chicago down toward the southern part of the state. It is a highly practical trip if you are looking to move efficiently between these two regions.

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

164.5 miles from Naperville, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 87% of your travel time spent on major routes like the Veterans Memorial Tollway, I-57, and the Ken Gray Expressway. You will spend the vast majority of your time—a significant 252.4-mile stretch—cruising along I-57. Because the route relies so heavily on high-speed interstates, it offers a consistent, predictable rhythm rather than technical, winding backroads. Expect a steady, uninterrupted pace that allows you to cover ground quickly across the state. While it lacks the variety of smaller local roads, the interstate infrastructure provides a reliable and efficient way to reach your destination.

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

There are about 17 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 252.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 34 / East Ogden Avenue.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 329 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: near the start (US 34 / East Ogden Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 34 / East Ogden Avenue

Turn left onto US 34 / East Ogden Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

5 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the ramp toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet

5.2 mi into trip | ~10m in | I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway

Merge onto I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

24.4 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Indiana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Exit 0A Toward I 80 East: Indiana

25.7 mi into trip | ~35m in | I 80

Merge onto I 80

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Naperville, IL to Du Quoin, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Benton along the way.

Benton

309.3 mi in | ~5h 42m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	252.4 mi	4h 32m
Ken Gray Expressway	20 mi	21m
Veterans Memorial Tollway	19.2 mi	21m
State Street	12.6 mi	18m
I 80	10.6 mi	12m
East Ogden Avenue	5 mi	10m
Illinois Route 14	3.8 mi	5m
South Washington Street	2.7 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 252.4 mi, about 4h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Naperville, IL and Du Quoin, IL.

Start on North Washington Street

50 ft · 9 sec · North Washington Street

Turn left onto US 34

5.0 mi · 10 min · East Ogden Avenue

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 355

19 mi · 21 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 0A Toward I 80 East: Indiana Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 80

11 mi · 12 min · I 80

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 151A Toward I 57 South: Memphis

Merge onto I 57

187 mi · 3 hr 21 min · I 57

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 57

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 57

Toward I 57 South: Memphis

Keep slight right at fork onto I 57

20 mi · 21 min · Ken Gray Expressway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward IL 14: Christopher, Benton

Turn right onto IL 14

0.2 mi · 25 sec · West Main Street

Continue on IL 14

3.8 mi · 5 min · Illinois Route 14

Continue on IL 14

13 mi · 18 min · State Street

Turn right onto US 51

2.7 mi · 4 min · South Washington Street

Turn right onto East Main Street

32 ft · 1 sec · East Main Street

Arrive at destination

East Main Street

Trip Plan

To keep your energy up during the 6-hour and 12-minute commute, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs. Given the long 252.4-mile stretch on I-57, it is wise to monitor your fuel gauge and take advantage of rest areas or service stations before you hit the longest segments of the interstate. Since this is a highway-heavy route, try to depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion near the Naperville area. Being flexible with your departure time can save you significant frustration as you transition onto the tollways. Keep your toll pass handy for the Veterans Memorial Tollway to ensure your trip remains as smooth and efficient as possible.

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 164.5 miles from Naperville, IL, or about 3h 6m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252.4 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 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 164.5 miles or 3h 6m 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 Du Quoin, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Naperville, 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 Naperville, IL

This is one driving day of about 329 miles and 6h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Naperville, 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 252.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 164.5 mi from Naperville, IL · 3h 6m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, IL

165 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

Joliet, 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 164.5 miles from Naperville, 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 252.4 miles.

Arriving in Du Quoin, IL

The final approach into Du Quoin, 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 Du Quoin, 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

$49.97 one way

$99.94 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 115 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$55.09	$110.18
premium	$4.80	$62.11	$124.22
diesel	$5.64	$73.09	$146.18

Estimated Tolls: $1.34

Veterans Memorial Tollway (19.2 mi) $1.34

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

$50

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 115.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	98.7	1	$34.55	$15.79
Efficient EV	82.3	0	$28.79	$13.16
EV Truck/SUV	131.6	1	$46.06	$21.06

Gas CO2

115 kg

EV CO2

38 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Naperville, IL

Afternoon in Naperville on Sunday

Local time

3:05 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Du Quoin, IL

Afternoon in Du Quoin on Sunday

Local time

3:05 PM

CDT

Current temp

60°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

14 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 12m 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 Naperville, IL to Du Quoin, IL covers 329 miles and takes about 6h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Veterans Memorial Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 164.5 miles from Naperville, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.97 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 Naperville, IL to Du Quoin, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Benton along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Du Quoin, IL

York, IL 179.2 mi · 2h 59m

More from Naperville, IL

Metropolis, IL 376.8 mi · 6h 58m De Soto, IL 338.6 mi · 6h 22m Campton, IL 320.5 mi · 6h 18m Eden, IL 303.4 mi · 6h 8m Waterloo, IL 293.1 mi · 5h 34m Douglas, IL 279 mi · 5h 22m

Explore more options from Naperville, IL or browse trips ending in Du Quoin, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Naperville, IL or Du Quoin, IL on MapSof.net.