How far is Decatur, IL from Vernon Hills, IL?
The driving distance from Decatur, IL to Vernon Hills, IL is about 197.7 miles (318.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.1 miles (276.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 00m 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 00m.
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.
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
Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Vernon Hills.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Vernon Hills.
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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
113.8 mi · 2 hr 5 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
2797 ft · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
1.2 mi · 3 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
19.2 mi · 24 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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9
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 7 min
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10
Keep slight left
6.9 mi · 9 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 53, IL 68: Dundee Road
1797 ft · 44 sec
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12
Turn right onto West Dundee Road
1.5 km · 2 min · West Dundee Road
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13
Turn left onto North Arlington Heights Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Arlington Heights Road
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14
Turn left onto McHenry Road
1428 ft · 31 sec · McHenry Road
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15
Continue on State Highway 83
2.3 mi · 4 min · State Highway 83
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16
Continue on Mundelein Road
2773 ft · 47 sec · Mundelein Road
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17
Continue on IL RT 83
1182 ft · 22 sec · IL RT 83
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18
Turn right onto Westmoreland Drive
1.2 km · 3 min · Westmoreland Drive
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19
Turn left onto Oakwood Road
11 m · 2 sec · Oakwood Road
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oakwood Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Vernon Hills.
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
114 mi · 02h 05m
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 Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Vernon Hills.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Vernon Hills?
The road trip is about 197.7 miles (318.1 km) and usually takes 04h 00m 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?
Odell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.9 miles from Decatur and 98.8 miles from Vernon Hills.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.1 miles (276.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.6 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 9:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.28 one way or $52.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny around Decatur and Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Vernon Hills.
Stop Ideas Near Odell
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 Odell.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Gilman
Kankakee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Vernon Hills. Straight-line distance: 172.06 mi (276.9 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 Vernon Hills
City in United States of America
| Population | 26,425 |
| Coordinates | 42.2194700, -87.9795200 |
| Altitude | 224 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vernon Hills (-87.97952, 42.21947)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 318 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.28 | $52.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.64 | $59.29 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.44 | $64.88 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.97 | $73.94 |
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.