How far is Effingham, IL from Arlington Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Effingham, IL to Arlington Heights, IL is about 240.8 miles (387.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 207.2 miles (333.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 22m 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 41m.
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.
Village in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Effingham and Arlington Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Effingham and Arlington Heights.
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1
Start on South 5th Street
6 m · 6 sec · South 5th Street
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2
Turn left onto West Fayette Avenue
705 ft · 21 sec · West Fayette Avenue
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3
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · South 3rd Street
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4
Take the ramp right toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
2624 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185.5 mi · 3 hr 21 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
1718 ft · 33 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
10.3 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 190 West, I 90: O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Rockford, River Road
1071 ft · 26 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West Toll, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
1534 ft · 38 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 Toll West: Rockford
1.3 km · 2 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
929 ft · 12 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
6.1 mi · 7 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Arlington Heights Road
1803 ft · 44 sec
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17
Keep slight right
152 m · 12 sec
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18
Turn straight onto North Arlington Heights Road
647 ft · 15 sec · North Arlington Heights Road
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19
Continue on South Arlington Heights Road
3.1 mi · 6 min · South Arlington Heights Road
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20
Turn left onto East Euclid Avenue
15 m · 2 sec · East Euclid Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Euclid Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Effingham and Arlington Heights.
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 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185 mi · 03h 21m
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.
Sunny leaving Effingham and Mostly Sunny near Arlington Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Effingham to Arlington Heights?
The road trip is about 240.8 miles (387.5 km) and usually takes 03h 41m 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?
Onarga is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116.6 miles from Effingham and 124.2 miles from Arlington Heights.
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 33.6 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 9:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.05 one way or $64.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Effingham and Mostly Sunny near Arlington Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Onarga
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 Onarga.
Gilman
Kankakee
Rantoul
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Effingham and Arlington Heights. Straight-line distance: 207.2 mi (333.46 km).
#1 Effingham
City in Illinois
| Population | 12,601 |
| Coordinates | 39.1200400, -88.5433800 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: East Euclid Avenue (-87.980632, 42.088281)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 387 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.05 | $64.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.15 | $72.30 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.56 | $79.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.08 | $90.17 |
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.