How far is Arlington Heights, IL from Effingham, IL?
The driving distance from Arlington Heights, IL to Effingham, IL is about 231.2 miles (372 km), with a travel time of about 04h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 207.2 miles (333.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 24m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington Heights and Effingham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights and Effingham.
-
1
Start on East Euclid Avenue
15 m · 6 sec · East Euclid Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North Arlington Heights Road
3.3 mi · 7 min · North Arlington Heights Road
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East: Chicago
2083 ft · 51 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
6.6 mi · 7 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Toll South, I 190 West: Indiana, O'Hare
1430 ft · 35 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll South: Indiana
2146 ft · 52 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
10.3 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Continue on Mile-Long Bridge
1.5 km · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge
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11
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
8.5 mi · 11 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
1162 ft · 28 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
2529 ft · 1 min
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14
Turn straight onto Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi · 8 min · Cicero Avenue
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15
Turn left onto 167th Street
855 ft · 26 sec · 167th Street
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16
Take the ramp slight right toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
3048 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
183.5 mi · 3 hr 18 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
1753 ft · 35 sec
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19
Turn left
1.9 mi · 3 min
-
20
Turn right onto East Fayette Avenue
705 ft · 18 sec · East Fayette Avenue
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21
Turn right onto South 5th Street
6 m · 1 sec · South 5th Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington Heights and Effingham.
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 57 South
Merge slight left
183 mi · 03h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Arlington Heights and Sunny near Effingham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington Heights to Effingham?
The road trip is about 231.2 miles (372 km) and usually takes 04h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Buckley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.6 miles from Arlington Heights and 115.5 miles from Effingham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 207.2 miles (333.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.77 one way or $61.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Arlington Heights and Sunny near Effingham.
Stop Ideas Near Buckley
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 Buckley.
Gilman
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington Heights and Effingham. Straight-line distance: 207.2 mi (333.46 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 Effingham
City in Illinois
| Population | 12,601 |
| Coordinates | 39.1200400, -88.5433800 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
End: Effingham (-88.54338, 39.12004)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 372 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.77 | $61.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.70 | $69.41 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.98 | $75.95 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.28 | $86.56 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.