How far is Decatur, IL from Melrose Park, IL?
The driving distance from Decatur, IL to Melrose Park, IL is about 178.6 miles (287.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 153.5 miles (247 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 09m 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 03h 34m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Melrose Park.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Melrose Park.
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1
Start on East Wood Street
155 m · 23 sec · East Wood Street
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2
Turn left onto South Franklin Street
2129 ft · 46 sec · South Franklin Street
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3
Continue on North Water Street
27.4 mi · 37 min · North Water Street
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4
Continue on North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
122.1 mi · 2 hr 16 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin
1.6 mi · 3 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
98 m · 8 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East: Chicago
1369 ft · 34 sec
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12
Continue straight
160 m · 13 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
3183 ft · 49 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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14
Merge slight right onto Eisenhower Expressway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Eisenhower Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward North 25th Avenue
871 ft · 22 sec
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16
Turn straight onto South 25th Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · South 25th Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Haddon Street
2006 ft · 2 min · Haddon Street
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18
Turn left onto Broadway Avenue
147 m · 23 sec · Broadway Avenue
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19
Turn right
89 m · 23 sec
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20
At the end of the road, turn right onto Division Street
36 m · 5 sec · Division Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Division Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Melrose Park.
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 74 West
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West, US 51 North: Peoria, Rockford
122 mi · 02h 16m
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny leaving Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Melrose Park.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Melrose Park?
The road trip is about 178.6 miles (287.4 km) and usually takes 03h 34m 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?
Rooks Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.3 miles from Decatur and 89.3 miles from Melrose Park.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 153.5 miles (247 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.1 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 9:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.76 one way or $47.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny around Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Melrose Park.
Stop Ideas Near Rooks Creek
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 Rooks Creek.
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Uptown Station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Melrose Park. Straight-line distance: 153.47 mi (246.99 km).
#1 Decatur
The most populous city in Macon County, Illinois.
| Population | 70,007 |
| Coordinates | 39.8403100, -88.9548000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Melrose Park
Village in Cook County, Illenois, United States of America
| Population | 24,406 |
| Coordinates | 41.9005900, -87.8567300 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Melrose Park (-87.85673, 41.90059)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.76 | $47.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.79 | $53.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.32 | $58.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.42 | $66.83 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.