Trip from Naperville, IL to Jackson, IL

Data updated 29 minutes ago

Drive Time

5h 46m

Distance

280.1 mi

451 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 33m ★

6 AM

5h 46m

8 AM

6h 12m

10 AM

5h 55m

12 PM

5h 53m

3 PM

5h 57m

5 PM

6h 11m

8 PM

5h 38m

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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Jackson, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

This 280.1-mile drive from Naperville, IL to Jackson, IL is a solid one-day road trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 46 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-57 and Veterans Memorial Tollway, with US-50 also playing a role. With a fuel cost around $44, this highway-focused journey through the Midwest is quite manageable for a single day. It's a straightforward trip that shouldn't require an overnight stop, making it convenient for a quick getaway.

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 miles from Naperville, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 72% of the drive being on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 154.8 miles on I-57, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While largely interstate, the inclusion of Veterans Memorial Tollway and US-50 offers some variation in your driving environment. The route generally maintains a steady pace, allowing for efficient travel.

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

There are about 34 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 154.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Veterans Memorial Tollway. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 34 / East Ogden Avenue.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 280.1 miles you will encounter 16 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: 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 16 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 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

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 straight / slight right lanes.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 57	154.8 mi	2h 46m
Veterans Memorial Tollway	19.2 mi	21m
US 50	18.7 mi	25m
North 1250th Street	13.3 mi	19m
South Van Buren Street	11 mi	15m
I 80	10.6 mi	12m
Route 130	10 mi	14m
County Road 1100 East	6.7 mi	9m

Longest stretch: I 57 — 154.8 mi, about 2h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Naperville, IL and Jackson, 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 straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 0A Toward I 80 East: Indiana

Merge onto I 80

11 mi · 12 min · I 80

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 151A Toward I 57 South: Memphis

Merge onto I 57

155 mi · 2 hr 46 min · I 57

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec

Exit 190A Toward IL 16 East: Charleston

Turn straight onto IL 16

0.7 mi · 1 min · Charleston Avenue East

Continue on IL 16

6.0 mi · 8 min · Illinois Route 16

Continue on IL 16

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Lincoln Avenue

Turn right onto IL 130

1.6 mi · 2 min · 18th Street

Continue on IL 130

0.8 mi · 1 min · Illinois Route 130

Continue on IL 130

10.0 mi · 14 min · Route 130

Continue on IL 130

2.0 mi · 2 min · County Road 1825 East

Continue on IL 130

0.8 mi · 1 min · County Road 1775 E

Continue on IL 130

0.4 mi · 32 sec · North Haughton Highway

Continue on IL 130

1.3 mi · 1 min · 1700E

Continue on IL 130

4.0 mi · 5 min · North Haughton Highway

Continue on IL 130

2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 1700E

Continue on IL 130

13 mi · 19 min · North 1250th Street

Turn left onto IL 130

11 mi · 15 min · South Van Buren Street

Continue on IL 130

6.7 mi · 9 min · County Road 1100 East

Continue on IL 130

1.3 mi · 2 min · North West Street

Turn left onto West Butler Street

1.3 mi · 3 min · West Butler Street

Turn right onto North Lincoln Avenue

481 ft · 16 sec · North Lincoln Avenue

Turn left onto East Main Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

Turn left onto US 50; IL 250

19 mi · 25 min · US 50; IL 250

Take the exit onto US 50 Business

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 50 Business

Continue on US 50 Business

2.4 mi · 3 min · State Street

Turn right

257 ft · 11 sec

Continue on 990N

523 ft · 10 sec · 990N

Arrive at destination

990N

Trip Plan

Given the 5 hour and 46 minute duration, starting your drive from Naperville in the morning will allow you to reach Jackson with plenty of daylight. The single recommended stop suggests planning a break around the halfway point or slightly before the longest 154.8-mile stretch on I-57 to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into that longer section, as services can be more spread out. The $44 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting.

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 140 miles from Naperville, IL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 154.8 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 140 miles or 2h 40m 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 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, 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 280.1 miles and 5h 46m.

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 154.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 140 mi from Naperville, IL · 2h 40m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Champaign, 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.

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 140 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 154.8 miles.

Arriving in Jackson, IL

The final approach into Jackson, 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 Jackson, 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

$43.79 one way

$87.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$48.08	$96.16
premium	$4.89	$53.90	$107.81
diesel	$5.61	$61.84	$123.69

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

$44

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 98 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	84	1	$29.41	$13.44
Efficient EV	70	0	$24.51	$11.20
EV Truck/SUV	112	1	$39.21	$17.93

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 5 days ago

Origin

Naperville, IL

Evening in Naperville on Tuesday

Local time

6:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jackson, IL

Evening in Jackson on Tuesday

Local time

6:44 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

5h 46m 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 Naperville, IL to Jackson, IL covers 280.1 miles and takes about 5h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 57, Veterans Memorial Tollway, US 50. 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 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 $43.79 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.

The route from Naperville, IL to Jackson, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Jackson, IL to Naperville, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

269.3 mi 5h 46m

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Trip from Naperville, IL to Jackson, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Jackson, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Naperville, IL

Jackson, IL

Same local time

14 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 46m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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