Origin
Wheaton, IL
Afternoon in Wheaton on Tuesday
Local time
4:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wheaton, IL to Murphysboro, IL
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
6h 39m
Distance
350.2 mi
564 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 27m
★
6 AM
6h 39m
8 AM
7h 3m
10 AM
6h 47m
12 PM
6h 45m
3 PM
6h 49m
5 PM
7h 2m
8 PM
6h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wheaton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Murphysboro, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Wheaton, IL to Murphysboro, IL covers 350.2 miles and takes about 6h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Veterans Memorial Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 252.4 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.75 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
175.1 miles from Wheaton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 6h 39m highway drive covering 350.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. The longest continuous stretch is about 252.4 miles on I 57.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 252.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Front Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 350.2 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 0.2 miles (West Front Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (IL 38 / East Roosevelt Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Front Street
Turn left onto West Front Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Main Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
IL 38 / East Roosevelt Road
Turn left onto IL 38 / East Roosevelt Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
8.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 131
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
7
8.6 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 355 South: Joliet
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 355 South: Joliet
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Wheaton, IL and Murphysboro, IL, road signs point toward Johnston City and Herrin.
Johnston City
326 mi in
|
~6h 2m
Herrin
326 mi in
|
~6h 2m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 252.4 mi | 4h 32m |
| Ken Gray Expressway | 32.7 mi | 35m |
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 19.4 mi | 22m |
| Russell Street | 11.3 mi | 15m |
| I 80 | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Herrin Road | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| South Naperville Road | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| East Herrin Street | 3.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 252.4 mi, about 4h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wheaton, IL and Murphysboro, IL.
1
Start on West Wesley Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Wesley Street
2
Turn left onto North Wheaton Avenue
467 ft
·
28 sec
·
North Wheaton Avenue
3
Turn left onto West Front Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Front Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto IL 38
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Roosevelt Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto South Naperville Road
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
South Naperville Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 88 Toll East: Chicago
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 131
Toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 355 South: Joliet
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 355
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 0A
Toward I 80 East: Indiana
13
Merge onto I 80
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 151A
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
15
Merge onto I 57
187 mi
·
3 hr 21 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 57
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
33 mi
·
35 min
·
Ken Gray Expressway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward Johnston City, Herrin
19
Turn right onto Herrin Road
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Herrin Road
20
Continue on East Herrin Street
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
East Herrin Street
21
Continue on Herrin Road
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Herrin Road
22
Enter roundabout onto Cambria Road
35 ft
·
0 sec
·
Cambria Road
23
Continue on Cambria Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Cambria Road
24
Turn left onto IL 149
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Russell Street
25
Turn left onto IL 13; IL 127; IL 149
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North 2nd Street
26
Turn right onto IL 127; IL 149
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Walnut Street
27
Turn right onto North 11th Street
65 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 11th Street
28
Arrive at destination
North 11th Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 175.1 miles from Wheaton, IL, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252.4 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.1 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Murphysboro, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wheaton, 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 Wheaton, IL
This is one driving day of about 350.2 miles and 6h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wheaton, 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 57 for about 252.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 175.1 mi from Wheaton, IL · 3h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
175 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 175.1 miles from Wheaton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 252.4 miles.
Arriving in Murphysboro, IL
The final approach into Murphysboro, 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 Murphysboro, 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
$54.75 one way
$109.50 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
123 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $60.11 | $120.23 |
| premium | $4.89 | $67.39 | $134.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $77.32 | $154.64 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.54
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(19.4 mi)
$1.36
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(3.1 mi)
$0.18
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
$55
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 105.1 | 1 | $36.77 | $16.81 |
| Efficient EV | 87.6 | 1 | $30.64 | $14.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 140.1 | 1 | $49.03 | $22.41 |
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Murphysboro, IL
Afternoon in Murphysboro on Tuesday
Local time
4:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°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
33 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
6h 39m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Wheaton, IL to Murphysboro, IL covers 350.2 miles and takes about 6h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Ken Gray Expressway, Veterans Memorial Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 175.1 miles from Wheaton, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.75 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 350.2 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 0.2 miles (West Front Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (IL 38 / East Roosevelt Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Wheaton, IL and Murphysboro, IL, road signs point toward Johnston City and Herrin.
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