Origin
York, IL
Afternoon in York on Sunday
Local time
3:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from York, IL to McHenry, IL
Drive Time
6h 9m
Distance
282 mi
454 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 56m
★
6 AM
6h 9m
8 AM
6h 35m
10 AM
6h 18m
12 PM
6h 16m
3 PM
6h 19m
5 PM
6h 34m
8 PM
6h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
York, IL
NIKOLAI FOMIN
McHenry, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Trip Overview
The drive from York, IL to McHenry, IL covers 282 miles and takes about 6h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 57, IL 1, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 145.1 miles on I 57. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.83 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
141 miles from York, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 6h 9m highway drive covering 282 miles, with most of the trip on I 57 and IL 1. The longest continuous stretch is about 145.1 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 39 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 145.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 1. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 211.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 282 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 211.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 235.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
211.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
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 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevar...
8
211.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
8
235.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 1m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
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 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Roc...
7
235.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 1m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwa...
7
236.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 290 West: Rockford
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 290 West: Rockford
Towns Along This Route
Between York, IL and McHenry, IL, road signs point toward Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Chicago and Saint Charles Road West.
Wisconsin
211.3 mi in
|
~4h 30m
Milwaukee
235.4 mi in
|
~5h 1m
|
via I 294
Chicago
235.4 mi in
|
~5h 1m
|
via I 294
Saint Charles Road West
237.2 mi in
|
~5h 5m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 145.1 mi | 2h 37m |
| IL 1 | 30.7 mi | 45m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 22.9 mi | 28m |
| North Rand Road | 14.3 mi | 18m |
| I 290 | 13.4 mi | 17m |
| West Jasper Street | 10.7 mi | 18m |
| IL 53 | 8.9 mi | 11m |
| E County Road 200 N | 8.8 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 145.1 mi, about 2h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between York, IL and McHenry, 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
31 mi
·
45 min
·
IL 1
5
Turn left onto US 150; IL 16; IL 133
11 mi
·
18 min
·
West Jasper Street
6
Continue on IL 133
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East 1200th Road
7
Continue on IL 133
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East 1220th Road
8
Continue on IL 133
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1225th Road
9
Continue on IL 133
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1850th Road
10
Continue on IL 133
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Illinois Route 133
11
Continue on IL 133
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
E County Road 200 N
12
Continue on IL 133
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Illinois Route 133
13
Continue on IL 133
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East County Road 200 North
14
Continue on IL 133
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
E County Road 200 N
15
Continue on IL 133
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East County Road 200 North
16
Continue on IL 133
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
E County Road 200 N
17
Continue on IL 133
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
East County Road 200 North
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
19
Merge onto I 57
145 mi
·
2 hr 37 min
·
I 57
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 349-350
Toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
1.8 mi
·
3 min
Exit 349
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
22
Merge onto I 294
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit onto I 294
321 ft
·
7 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31
Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 290 West: Rockford
Use the none lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Saint Charles Road West
Use the none lane.
28
Merge onto I 290
13 mi
·
17 min
·
I 290
Use the none lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
8.9 mi
·
11 min
·
IL 53
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on Lake Cook Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Cook Road
Use the none lane.
31
Continue on US 12
14 mi
·
18 min
·
North Rand Road
Use the right lane.
32
Continue on US 12; IL 59
0.6 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 12; IL 59
Use the none lane.
33
Turn left onto IL 120
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Belvidere Road
Use the left lane.
34
Continue on IL 120
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Rand Road
Use the none lane.
35
Continue on IL 120
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Elm Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Turn left onto North Green Street
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Green Street
37
Turn left
105 ft
·
13 sec
38
Turn left
237 ft
·
17 sec
39
Arrive at destination
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 141 miles from York, IL, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.1 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 2h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141 miles or 3h 14m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McHenry, 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 282 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 57 for about 145.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 141 mi from York, IL · 3h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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 141 miles from York, 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 145.1 miles.
Arriving in McHenry, IL
The final approach into McHenry, 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 McHenry, 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
$42.83 one way
$85.67 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $47.22 | $94.44 |
| premium | $4.80 | $53.24 | $106.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $62.65 | $125.30 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.37
Tri-state Tollway
(22.9 mi)
$1.37
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
$43
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.6 | 1 | $29.61 | $13.54 |
| Efficient EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.67 | $11.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.8 | 1 | $39.48 | $18.05 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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
McHenry, IL
Afternoon in McHenry on Sunday
Local time
3:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
8 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
6h 9m 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 York, IL to McHenry, IL covers 282 miles and takes about 6h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, IL 1, Tri-State 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 141 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 $42.83 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 20 significant decision points across 282 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 211.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 235.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between York, IL and McHenry, IL, road signs point toward Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Chicago and Saint Charles Road West.
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