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Drive Time
5h 6m
Distance
269.8 mi
434 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Salem, IL
Banx Photography
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Traveling from New Salem to Chicago covers 270 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 19 minutes. Because this is a relatively manageable distance, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your path will take you along Pittsfield Road before transitioning to I-55 North and the Stevenson Expressway to reach the city. With an estimated fuel cost of $40, it is an economical trip for a weekend getaway or a necessary commute. You will remain within the Midwest region for the duration of your travel across Illinois. It is a straightforward route that moves you efficiently from the smaller communities of central Illinois into the urban landscape of Chicago.
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
134.9 miles from New Salem, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
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Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While you will eventually join the interstate system, the journey begins with a more technical feel on Pittsfield Road. Unlike a standard interstate grind, this route offers a mix of local roads and major highways, meaning you will experience frequent transitions. You will find that there is no long-distance, uninterrupted stretch on Pittsfield Road, so you should anticipate shifting gears and adjusting your speed often. The personality of this drive is practical and functional, designed to get you from the rural heart of the state to the busy streets of Chicago.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 72. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 103.6 miles in near I 55.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 269.8 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 103.6 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.9 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 266.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from New Salem, IL to Chicago, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 180.2 mi | 3h 20m |
| I 72 | 79.9 mi | 1h 26m |
| Stevenson Expressway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Pittsfield Road | 2.9 mi | 7m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Damen Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Blue Island Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Griggsville Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between New Salem, IL and Chicago, IL.
Start on Griggsville Street
Turn left onto Pittsfield Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 72; US 36
Continue on I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
Continue on I 55
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
Turn right
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Since this is a 270-mile drive, you have the flexibility to make the trip in one go or incorporate one planned stop to break up the drive. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic as you transition onto the Stevenson Expressway near the city limits. Keep your $40 fuel budget in mind, and consider fueling up before you hit the high-traffic zones near your destination. Because this route involves a fair amount of local road navigation, keep your GPS accessible during the initial phase of the drive. The primary advantage of this route is its versatility, so feel free to adjust your departure time based on your personal comfort with urban traffic patterns.
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.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.9 miles or 2h 29m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chicago, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving New Salem, 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 New Salem, IL
This is one driving day of about 269.8 miles and 5h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 134.9 mi from New Salem, IL · 2h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 134.9 miles from New Salem, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 180.2 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$42.18 one way
$84.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.31 | $92.62 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.92 | $103.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.57 | $119.14 |
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: 94.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.9 | 0 | $28.33 | $12.95 |
| Efficient EV | 67.5 | 0 | $23.61 | $10.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.9 | 1 | $37.77 | $17.27 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in New Salem on Tuesday
Local time
4:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Chicago on Tuesday
Local time
4:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
53°F
Bloomington, IL
135 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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