Origin
Pontiac, IL
Evening in Pontiac on Friday
Local time
6:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pontiac, IL to Park Ridge, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
100.4 mi
162 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pontiac, IL
Ernest Westphal
Park Ridge, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Pontiac, IL to Park Ridge, IL covers 100.4 miles and takes about 2h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Barack Obama Presidential Expressway, Tri-State Tollway, North 1500 East Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 76.1 miles on Barack Obama Presidential Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.70 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.2 miles from Pontiac, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 100.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 2m highway drive covering 100.4 miles, with most of the trip on Barack Obama Presidential Expressway and Tri-State Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 76.1 miles on Barack Obama Presidential Expressway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 76.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
753 ft
542 ft
Total Climb
260 ft
Total Descent
266 ft
Highest Point
753 ft
~71.7 mi in
Elevation Range
212 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Barack Obama Presidential Expressway and Tri-State Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 79.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 100.4 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 79.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
79.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
6
86.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
98.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward Touhy Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
6
98.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Touhy Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
8
98.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Touhy Avenue East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42A
Toward Touhy Avenue East
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Barack Obama Presidential Expressway | 76.1 mi | 1h 26m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 16.6 mi | 20m |
| North 1500 East Road | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| East Touhy Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| West Howard Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Old Route 66 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Custer Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Mill Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
— 76.1 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pontiac, IL and Park Ridge, IL.
1
Start on North Mill Street
108 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Mill Street
2
Turn left onto IL 116
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Howard Street
3
Turn right onto IL 23
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Old Route 66
4
Turn left onto IL 23
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
West Custer Avenue
5
Continue on North 1500 East Road
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North 1500 East Road
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 55 North: Joliet
7
Merge onto I 55
76 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
3 min
Exit 277A
Toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
Use the right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
10
Merge onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 42A
Toward Touhy Avenue East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Touhy Avenue
16
Turn left onto North Greenwood Avenue
92 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Greenwood Avenue
17
Turn right
24 ft
·
1 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.2 miles from Pontiac, IL, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.1 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.2 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Park Ridge, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pontiac, 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 Pontiac, IL
This is one driving day of about 100.4 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Pontiac, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Barack Obama Presidential Expressway for about 76.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.2 mi from Pontiac, IL · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.2 miles from Pontiac, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Barack Obama Presidential Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.1 miles.
Arriving in Park Ridge, IL
The final approach into Park Ridge, 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 Park Ridge, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.70 one way
$31.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.23 | $34.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $19.32 | $38.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.17 | $44.33 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.99
Tri-state Tollway
(16.6 mi)
$0.99
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
$16
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.54 | $4.82 |
| Efficient EV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.79 | $4.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.06 | $6.43 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Park Ridge, IL
Evening in Park Ridge on Friday
Local time
6:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
4 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
2h 2m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Pontiac, IL to Park Ridge, IL covers 100.4 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Barack Obama Presidential Expressway, Tri-State Tollway, North 1500 East 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 50.2 miles from Pontiac, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.70 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 100.4 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 79.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Pontiac, IL to Park Ridge, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 542 ft to 753 ft elevation with about 260 ft of total climbing.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Park Ridge, IL
More from Pontiac, IL
More trips to Park Ridge, IL
Explore more options from Pontiac, IL or browse trips ending in Park Ridge, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.