Trip from Roxana, IL to Chicago, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 23m

Distance

279.9 mi

450 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 10m ★

6 AM

5h 23m

8 AM

5h 50m

10 AM

5h 32m

12 PM

5h 30m

3 PM

5h 34m

5 PM

5h 49m

8 PM

5h 15m

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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Bactrian princess and wife of Alexander the Great

Roxana, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Chicago, IL

Otoniel Alvarado

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Roxana to Chicago, prepare for a 280.3-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 32 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best approached as a focused one-day trip rather than a leisurely multi-day excursion. You should budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest locations. While the drive is manageable in a single stretch, the local nature of the roads means you will need to stay alert behind the wheel. Given the pace and the duration, fitting in at least one planned stop will help you stay refreshed before arriving at your destination.

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

139.9 miles from Roxana, IL

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

Drive Character

Expect a unique experience on this route, as it lacks the typical interstate grind, featuring 0% highway travel. Instead, you will navigate via local thoroughfares including East Tydeman Street, North Central Avenue, and Vaughn Road. The drive is characterized by frequent turns rather than long, straightaways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 0 miles on East Tydeman Street. This configuration requires your full attention, as the road conditions demand constant engagement rather than highway cruising. You will find that the personality of this drive remains technical and local from start to finish, offering a departure from standard high-speed travel.

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

There are about 25 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 256.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and State Route 140. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 113.7 miles in near I 55.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 279.9 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 113.7 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 143 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 277 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

113.7 mi into trip | ~2h 12m 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

143 mi into trip | ~2h 43m 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

277 mi into trip | ~5h 16m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 290 Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue

277.2 mi into trip | ~5h 16m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Damen Avenue

277.5 mi into trip | ~5h 17m in

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

Use the left lane. Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen 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 Roxana, IL to Chicago, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Peoria along the way.

Peoria

143 mi in | ~2h 43m | via I 55

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 55	256.4 mi	4h 43m
State Route 140	9.7 mi	13m
Stevenson Expressway	3.6 mi	4m
West Bethalto Drive	1.8 mi	3m
Vaughn Road	1.7 mi	3m
North Central Avenue	1 mi	1m
North Bellwood Drive	0.9 mi	1m
West Cermak Road	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 55 — 256.4 mi, about 4h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Roxana, IL and Chicago, IL.

Start on this road

52 ft · 4 sec · this road

Turn right

46 ft · 6 sec

Turn left onto East Tydeman Street

0.1 mi · 35 sec · East Tydeman Street

Turn right onto IL 111

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Central Avenue

Continue on IL 111

1.7 mi · 3 min · Vaughn Road

Continue on IL 111

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Bellwood Drive

Continue on IL 111

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Bellwood Drive

Turn right onto IL 140

1.8 mi · 3 min · West Bethalto Drive

Continue on IL 140

9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140

Continue on IL 140

0.8 mi · 1 min · West State Street

Continue on IL 140

443 ft · 13 sec · State Route 140

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Merge onto I 55

97 mi · 1 hr 44 min · I 55

Keep slight right at fork onto I 55

29 mi · 31 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North: Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 55

130 mi · 2 hr 27 min · I 55

Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 55

3.6 mi · 4 min · Stevenson Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 290 Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward Damen Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

440 ft · 12 sec

Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue Use the left lane.

Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Damen Avenue

Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Blue Island Avenue

Turn right onto West Cermak Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Cermak Road

Turn right

152 ft · 11 sec

Turn right

0.2 mi · 58 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Because this route relies entirely on local roads, avoid rushing your departure; plan your exit from Roxana to account for the slower pace of local traffic. With 280.3 miles of turn-heavy driving, you should proactively map out your single stop to ensure you have a safe place to pull over and stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as local routes can sometimes result in inconsistent access to stations compared to major interstates. Since the entire journey is local, take advantage of the flexibility to adjust your route if you encounter unexpected traffic on North Central Avenue or Vaughn Road. Prioritizing a steady pace will make the 4-hour and 32-minute transit much more comfortable.

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 139.9 miles from Roxana, IL, or about 2h 40m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 256.4 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 62 miles or 1h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 139.9 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 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chicago, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Roxana, 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 Roxana, IL

This is one driving day of about 279.9 miles and 5h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Roxana, 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 256.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 139.9 mi from Roxana, IL · 2h 40m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bloomington, 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.

Popular next leg

Bloomington, IL to Chicago, IL

131.7 mi · 2h 39m

Pacing Suggestions

Springfield, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bloomington, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 139.9 miles from Roxana, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 256.4 miles.

Arriving in Chicago, IL

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.76 one way

$87.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$48.05	$96.09
premium	$4.89	$53.86	$107.73
diesel	$5.61	$61.80	$123.60

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: 97.9 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	$29.39	$13.44
Efficient EV	70	0	$24.49	$11.20
EV Truck/SUV	112	1	$39.19	$17.91

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 14, 2026

Origin

Roxana, IL

Night in Roxana on Wednesday

Local time

11:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chicago, IL

Night in Chicago on Wednesday

Local time

11:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

W 10 mph 75% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:43PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:43PM CDT until April 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO

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

3 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 23m 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 Roxana, IL to Chicago, IL covers 279.9 miles and takes about 5h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 55, State Route 140, Stevenson Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 139.9 miles from Roxana, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.76 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.