The drive from York, IL to Independence, IL covers 225.8 miles and takes about 5h 5m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 72, Route 121, US 36 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 67.8 miles on I 72.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.30 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
112.9 miles from York, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 225.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 5m highway drive covering 225.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 72 and Route 121. The longest continuous stretch is about 67.8 miles on I 72.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 72 is the longest continuous segment at about 67.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 72 and Route 121. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Broadway Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 225.8 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 0.1 miles (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 110.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.8 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|West Broadway Street
At end of road, turn right onto West Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
6
110.2 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Take the ramp toward US 51 North: Springfield, Bloomington
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 51 North: Springfield, Bloomington
7
146.8 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|I 72; US 36
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36 toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jacksonville
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 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, Jack...
6
152.1 mi into trip|~3h 34m in|I 72; US 36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36 toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
6
214.6 mi into trip|~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 35
Toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between York, IL and Independence, IL, road signs point toward Bloomington and Jacksonville.
Bloomington
110.2 mi in|~2h 47m
Jacksonville
146.8 mi in|~3h 28m|via I 72; US 36
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 72
67.8 mi
1h 13m
Route 121
33.8 mi
48m
US 36
30.5 mi
32m
I 70
16 mi
17m
East Angling Road
13.7 mi
24m
Route 130
10 mi
14m
Dewitt Avenue East
5.8 mi
9m
Illinois Route 16
5.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 72
— 67.8 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between York, IL and Independence, IL.
1
Start on North York Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·North York Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto West Broadway Street
0.2 mi·56 sec·West Broadway Street
3
Continue on East 150th Road
1.9 mi·7 min·East 150th Road
4
Turn sharp right onto IL 1
3.3 mi·4 min·IL 1
5
Turn left onto East Angling Road
9.0 mi·15 min·East Angling Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto East Angling Road
4.8 mi·8 min·East Angling Road
7
Continue on South York Street
1.9 mi·3 min·South York Street
8
Continue on North Cleone Road
0.9 mi·1 min·North Cleone Road
9
Turn left
0.4 mi·46 sec
10
Merge onto I 70
16 mi·17 min·I 70
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward IL 130
12
Turn right onto IL 130
0.1 mi·9 sec·North Haughton Highway
13
Continue on IL 130
1.3 mi·1 min·1700E
14
Continue on IL 130
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Haughton Highway
15
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 1775 E
16
Continue on IL 130
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 1825 E
17
Continue on IL 130
10.0 mi·14 min·Route 130
18
Continue on IL 130
0.8 mi·1 min·Illinois Route 130
19
Continue on IL 130
1.6 mi·2 min·18th Street
20
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi·4 min·Lincoln Avenue
21
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi·7 min·Illinois Route 16
22
Turn right onto Lerna Road
0.5 mi·57 sec·Lerna Road
23
Turn left onto Dewitt Avenue East
5.8 mi·9 min·Dewitt Avenue East
24
Continue on IL 121
34 mi·48 min·Route 121
25
Turn left onto CTH 30
1.8 mi·3 min·West Main Street
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on CTH 30
4.2 mi·5 min·East Elwin Road
27
Turn right onto US 51 Business
0.6 mi·1 min·South Business Route 51
28
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward US 51 North: Springfield, Bloomington
29
Merge onto US 51
5.2 mi·5 min·US 51
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Springfield
31
Merge onto US 36
31 mi·32 min·US 36
32
Take the exit onto I 72; US 36
5.3 mi·6 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 55 South, I 72 West: Saint Louis, JacksonvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 72; US 36
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 72; US 36
Toward I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 35Toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
35
Turn slight left onto US 54
5.3 mi·8 min·US 54
Use the straight lane.
36
Turn left onto IL 106
404 ft·8 sec·East Washington Street
37
Turn right onto South Illinois Street
427 ft·24 sec·South Illinois Street
38
Turn left onto East Fayette Street
357 ft·17 sec·East Fayette Street
39
Turn right onto Piper Lane
0.4 mi·1 min·Piper Lane
40
Continue on County Highway 7
5.0 mi·12 min·County Highway 7
41
Turn right onto Road 900
259 ft·11 sec·Road 900
42
Arrive at destination
Road 900
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 112.9 miles from York, IL, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.8 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 50 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.9 miles or 2h 51m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving York, 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 York, IL
This is one driving day of about 225.8 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from York, 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 72 for about 67.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.9 mi from York, IL
· 2h 51m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 147.9
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.7
0
$23.71
$10.84
Efficient EV
56.5
0
$19.76
$9.03
EV Truck/SUV
90.3
1
$31.61
$14.45
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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
York, IL
Night
in York on Friday
Local time
11:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Independence, IL
Night
in Independence on Friday
Local time
11:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
17 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 5m 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 York, IL to Independence, IL covers 225.8 miles and takes about 5h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 72, Route 121, US 36. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 112.9 miles from York, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.30 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 is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 225.8 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 0.1 miles (West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 110.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.8 miles (I 72; US 36): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between York, IL and Independence, IL, road signs point toward Bloomington and Jacksonville.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
