How far is Arlington Heights, IL from Hillsboro, IL?

The driving distance from Arlington Heights, IL to Hillsboro, IL is about 259.1 miles (417 km), with a travel time of about 04h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 217.3 miles (349.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
259.13 mi
04h 56m
Flight
217.27 mi
349.67 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Arlington Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
217.27 mi
Kilometers
349.67 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
259.13 mi
Kilometers
417.03 km
Drive Time
04h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Hillsboro
Sun, Apr 19, 10:20 AM CDT
Return by in Arlington Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 3:16 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Arlington Heights
2026-04-19T05:23
Arrive Hillsboro
Sun, Apr 19, 10:20 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:08 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Arlington Heights
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Towanda
IL

Township in McLean County, Illinois

From Arlington Heights
129.6 mi
02h 28m
To Hillsboro
129.6 mi
02h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph WNW
Destination
58°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington Heights and Hillsboro.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights and Hillsboro.

  1. 1

    Start on East Euclid Avenue

    2.7 mi · 6 min · East Euclid Avenue

  2. 2

    Take the ramp right toward IL 53 South

    1273 ft · 31 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road

    7 mi · 9 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet

    20.1 mi · 25 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis

    1453 ft · 36 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Joliet Road South

    1965 ft · 48 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    706 ft · 17 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    111.5 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    39.7 mi · 43 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 16: Gillespie, Litchfield

    2880 ft · 55 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left

    58 m · 6 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto County Road 1200 North

    1.4 km · 1 min · County Road 1200 North

  15. 15

    Continue on West Union Avenue

    2.2 mi · 3 min · West Union Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on Illinois Route 16

    7.4 mi · 11 min · Illinois Route 16

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Seward Street

    85 m · 12 sec · West Seward Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Seward Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington Heights and Hillsboro.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
112 mi · 43%
I 55 South
105 mi · 41%
I 355 South Tollway
20.1 mi · 8%
Illinois Route 16
7.43 mi · 3%
I 290 East
7 mi · 3%
East Euclid Avenue
2.67 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

112 mi · 02h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 56m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.8 mi
217.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Towanda
02h 28m from Arlington Heights
Leave By
7:08 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Arlington Heights and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Hillsboro.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Arlington Heights to Hillsboro?

The road trip is about 259.1 miles (417 km) and usually takes 04h 56m 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?

Towanda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 129.6 miles from Arlington Heights and 129.6 miles from Hillsboro.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 217.3 miles (349.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.8 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 7:08 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.47 one way or $68.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Arlington Heights and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Hillsboro.

Stop Ideas Near Towanda

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Towanda and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 6.3 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 8.3 mi away

City of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 8.3 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Towanda.

RAIL

Uptown Station

9 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

41 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Lincoln

61 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

68 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Arlington Heights and Hillsboro. Straight-line distance: 217.27 mi (349.67 km).

Arlington Heights

#1 Arlington Heights

Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States; suburb of Chicago, Illinois

Population75,101
Coordinates42.0883600, -87.9806300
Altitude214
CountryUnited States
Hillsboro

#2 Hillsboro

City in Illinois, United States

Population5,909
Coordinates39.1612800, -89.4954000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Start: Arlington Heights (-87.98063, 42.08836)
End: Hillsboro (-89.4954, 39.16128)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 417 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.14 gal
34.61 L · about $34.47
Round trip
$68.93
18.28 gal · 69.22 L
Estimated CO2
81.2 kg one way
Round trip: 162.5 kg / 358 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $34.47 $68.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $38.87 $77.74
Premium $4.65 $42.54 $85.08
Diesel $5.30 $48.48 $96.96

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Arlington Heights and Hillsboro. The current time is 05:23:37.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.