The drive from Pontoon Beach, IL to Berwyn, IL covers 279.2 miles and takes about 5h 14m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 55, I 270, South Harlem Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 263.6 miles on I 55.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.65 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
139.6 miles from Pontoon Beach, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 14m. Total distance: 279.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 14m highway drive covering 279.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 55 and I 270. The longest continuous stretch is about 263.6 miles on I 55.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 263.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 270. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 279.2 miles you will encounter 12 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: Navigation decision point; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
6
11 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 15B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
7
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|I 55
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
147.9 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|I 55
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
7
274.9 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Take the exit toward IL 43: Harlem Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 283
Toward IL 43: Harlem Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Pontoon Beach, IL to Berwyn, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
Peoria
147.9 mi in|~2h 42m|via I 55
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 55
263.6 mi
4h 50m
I 270
8.4 mi
9m
South Harlem Avenue
2.9 mi
5m
IL 111
1.7 mi
2m
Riverside Drive
0.8 mi
1m
Pontoon Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Oak Park Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
West Cermak Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 263.6 mi, about 4h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pontoon Beach, IL and Berwyn, IL.
1
Start on this road
13 ft·3 sec·this road
2
Turn right
56 ft·9 sec
3
Turn left onto Pontoon Road
0.5 mi·54 sec·Pontoon Road
4
Turn left onto IL 111
1.7 mi·2 min·IL 111
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 270 East: Effingham
6
Merge onto I 270
8.4 mi·9 min·I 270
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 15BToward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield
8
Merge onto I 55
107 mi·1 hr 55 min·I 55
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi·31 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
127 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, PeoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 283Toward IL 43: Harlem AvenueUse the right lane.
12
Turn left onto IL 43
2.9 mi·5 min·South Harlem Avenue
13
Turn right onto Riverside Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Riverside Drive
14
Turn slight left onto Oak Park Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Oak Park Avenue
15
Turn left onto West Cermak Road
91 ft·1 sec·West Cermak Road
16
Arrive at destination
West Cermak Road
Trip Plan
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 139.6 miles from Pontoon Beach, IL, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.6 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 61 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.6 miles or 2h 33m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Berwyn, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pontoon Beach, 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 Pontoon Beach, IL
This is one driving day of about 279.2 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Pontoon Beach, 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 55 for about 263.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.6 mi from Pontoon Beach, IL
· 2h 33m into the drive
The midpoint is around 139.9 miles from Pontoon Beach, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Berwyn, IL
The final approach into Berwyn, 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 Berwyn, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
National Monument
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Assoc...
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 279.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.65 one way
$87.30 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$47.93
$95.85
premium
$4.89
$53.73
$107.46
diesel
$5.61
$61.64
$123.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.7 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
83.8
1
$29.32
$13.40
Efficient EV
69.8
0
$24.43
$11.17
EV Truck/SUV
111.7
1
$39.09
$17.87
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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Pontoon Beach, IL
Morning
in Pontoon Beach on Friday
Local time
10:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Berwyn, IL
Morning
in Berwyn on Friday
Local time
10:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Bloomington, IL
140 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
13 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
5h 14m 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 Pontoon Beach, IL to Berwyn, IL covers 279.2 miles and takes about 5h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 270, South Harlem Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.6 miles from Pontoon Beach, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.65 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 279.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.5 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Pontoon Beach, IL to Berwyn, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
