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Trip from Taylorville, IL to Arlington Heights, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 19m

Distance

219.3 mi

353 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 6m ★
6 AM
4h 19m
8 AM
4h 46m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 26m
3 PM
4h 30m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 11m

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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city in Christian County, Illinois, United States

Taylorville, IL

Wikimedia Commons

village in Cook County, Illinois, United States; suburb of Chicago, Illinois

Arlington Heights, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Taylorville, IL to Arlington Heights, IL covers 219.3 miles and takes about 4h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 51, IL 48, Veterans Memorial Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 162.8 miles on US 51. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.29 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

109.6 miles from Taylorville, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 51 162.8 mi 3h 5m
IL 48 22.5 mi 25m
Veterans Memorial Tollway 19.2 mi 24m
I 290 5.6 mi 6m
IL 53 2.7 mi 3m
Euclid Avenue 2.5 mi 5m
East Park Street 0.9 mi 1m
South Main Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 51 — 162.8 mi, about 3h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Taylorville, IL and Arlington Heights, IL.

1

Start on South Main Street

0.2 mi · 55 sec · South Main Street
2

Turn right onto IL 29

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Park Street
3

Turn left onto Water Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Water Street
4

Turn left onto IL 48

22 mi · 25 min · IL 48
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
6

Merge onto US 51

11 mi · 11 min · US 51
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 141B Toward US 51 North: Bloomington
8

Continue on US 51

38 mi · 47 min · US 51
Use the straight lane.
9

Take the exit onto US 51

114 mi · 2 hr 5 min · US 51
Toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 269 Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 2 min
Toward I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
12

Merge onto I 355

19 mi · 24 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 290

5.6 mi · 6 min · I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53

2.7 mi · 3 min · IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit Court Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn slight right onto Euclid Avenue

2.5 mi · 5 min · Euclid Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
17

Arrive at destination

East Euclid Avenue

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 109.6 miles from Taylorville, IL, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.8 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 48 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.6 miles or 2h 9m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 26m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Taylorville, 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 Taylorville, IL

This is one driving day of about 219.3 miles and 4h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Taylorville, 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 US 51 for about 162.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Woodford County, Illinois

Mid-route town

Meal stop

El Paso, IL

110 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

Decatur, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Normal, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.6 miles from Taylorville, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 51 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 162.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 187.9

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16307830684

Visit website

Happy Place Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shorewood, Illinois

1.9 mi

Nay Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Glendale Heights, Illinois

1.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shorewood, Illinois

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 172.3

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Shorewood, Illinois

1.4 mi

Shibam Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Glendale Heights, Illinois

2.4 mi

LongHorn Steakhouse

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 187.9

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16307830684

Visit website

Happy Place Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 172.3

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+18156661447

Visit website

Nay Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 203.6

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16308683744

Visit website

Sushi Ya

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 172.3

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+18157303838

Visit website

Rosemary Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 172.3

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+18157824094

Visit website

Cafe Smilga

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 187.9

Darien, Illinois

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16304270929

Visit website

McDonald's Glendale Heights-O’Keefe Family Restaurants

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 203.6

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16308719007

Visit website

Mimi's Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 156.6

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+17798756475

Visit website

Critical Grind Board Game Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 172.3

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+18156304235

Visit website

Kafe De Kasa

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 172.3

Shorewood, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17792421902

Visit website

Shibam Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 203.6

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+12244487577

Visit website

Kafé De Kasa

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 172.3

Crest Hill, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18156303694

Visit website

Bonny's Bistro

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 172.3

Joliet, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+18476271095

Visit website

Emmys Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 156.6

Braidwood, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18153905133

121 Coffee Run

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 31.3

Decatur, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+12175427962

Visit website

Emmy's Cafe & Gaming

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 156.6

Coal City, Illinois

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+18155185375

Electrify America Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 78.3

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 78.3

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 78.3

Normal, Illinois

+13094549590

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 78.3

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 78.3

Normal, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 78.3

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+13096641222

Visit website

Nissan Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 31.3

Decatur, Illinois

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18776642738

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 78.3

Bloomington, Illinois

Hours: 9 am–12 pm

Visit website

The Wine Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 156.6

Wilmington, Illinois

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+18154769009

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 35.2 and 216.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
35.2 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward US 51 North: Bloomington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 141B Toward US 51 North: Bloomington
7
73.4 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in | US 51

Take the exit onto US 51 toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford

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. Toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
8
187.2 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in

Take the exit toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs

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 269 Toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest...
6
213.7 mi into trip | ~4h 9m in | IL 53

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
216.5 mi into trip | ~4h 12m in

Take the exit toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit Court

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. Toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circ...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.29 one way

$68.57 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $37.64 $75.29
premium $4.89 $42.20 $84.40
diesel $5.61 $48.42 $96.84

Estimated Tolls: $1.35

Veterans Memorial Tollway (19.2 mi) $1.35

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

$34

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.8 0 $23.03 $10.53
Efficient EV 54.8 0 $19.19 $8.77
EV Truck/SUV 87.7 1 $30.70 $14.04

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Taylorville, IL

Afternoon in Taylorville on Saturday

Local time

12:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arlington Heights, IL

Afternoon in Arlington Heights on Saturday

Local time

12:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

El Paso, IL

110 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

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

4h 19m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

Pullman National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 189
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument

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...

25 mi from route ~64 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

219.3 mi in 4h 19m, mostly highway — 162.8 mi of that is on US 51.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 162.8 mi on US 51.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 51 and IL 48. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 35.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 219.3 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 35.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 73.4 miles (US 51): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Taylorville, IL and Arlington Heights, IL, road signs point toward Rockford and Southwest Suburbs.

Rockford

73.4 mi in | ~1h 29m | via US 51

Southwest Suburbs

187.2 mi in | ~3h 34m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 219.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 162.8 miles on US 51. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.35 in tolls one way, starting with Veterans Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Arlington Heights, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 35.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 73.4 miles (US 51): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Pullman National Historical Park and Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington Heights, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

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