How far is Arlington Heights, IL from Central, IL?
The driving distance from Arlington Heights, IL to Central, IL is about 63.4 miles (102 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 48.5 miles (78 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 26m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington Heights and Central.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights and Central.
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1
Start on East Euclid Avenue
2.7 mi · 6 min · East Euclid Avenue
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2
Take the ramp right toward IL 53 South
1273 ft · 31 sec
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3
Merge slight left
1.1 mi · 2 min
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4
Keep slight left to continue on I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
7 mi · 9 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
20.1 mi · 25 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
1453 ft · 36 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Joliet Road South
1965 ft · 48 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
706 ft · 17 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
15.8 mi · 19 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 52: Shorewood, Joliet
1213 ft · 32 sec
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11
Turn right onto West Jefferson Street
1747 ft · 37 sec · West Jefferson Street
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12
Continue on East Jefferson Street
675 ft · 16 sec · East Jefferson Street
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13
Continue on West Jefferson Street
8.9 mi · 13 min · West Jefferson Street
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14
Turn left onto Brisbin Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · Brisbin Road
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15
Turn right onto Whitewillow Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · Whitewillow Road
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16
Turn right
31 m · 7 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington Heights and Central.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 355 South Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
20.1 mi · 00h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Arlington Heights and Mostly Sunny near Central.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington Heights to Central?
The road trip is about 63.4 miles (102 km) and usually takes 01h 26m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bolingbrook is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.7 miles from Arlington Heights and 31.7 miles from Central.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 48.5 miles (78 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.45 one way or $16.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Arlington Heights and Mostly Sunny near Central.
Stop Ideas Near Bolingbrook
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bolingbrook.
Naperville
Joliet Transportation Center
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington Heights and Central. Straight-line distance: 48.45 mi (77.98 km).
#1 Arlington Heights
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States; suburb of Chicago, Illinois
| Population | 75,101 |
| Coordinates | 42.0883600, -87.9806300 |
| Altitude | 214 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Central
Region of Illinois, USA
| Population | 1,107 |
| Coordinates | 41.4739200, -88.4339600 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central (-88.43396, 41.47392)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 102 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $8.45 | $16.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $9.53 | $19.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $10.42 | $20.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $11.88 | $23.76 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.