How far is Palatine, IL from Upper Alton, IL?
The driving distance from Palatine, IL to Upper Alton, IL is about 287.5 miles (462.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 247.4 miles (398.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 59m 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 05h 29m.
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 Henry County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palatine and Upper Alton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palatine and Upper Alton.
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1
Start on East Palatine Road
22 m · 5 sec · East Palatine Road
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2
Turn right onto East Northwest Highway
1662 ft · 51 sec · East Northwest Highway
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3
Turn right onto Hicks Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Hicks Road
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4
Turn left onto Euclid Avenue
20 m · 1 sec · Euclid Avenue
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward IL 53 South
1523 ft · 37 sec
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6
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
7 mi · 9 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
20.1 mi · 25 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
1453 ft · 36 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Joliet Road South
1965 ft · 48 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
706 ft · 17 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
111.5 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
62.6 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
1756 ft · 43 sec
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16
Turn right onto East State Street
1 km · 1 min · East State Street
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17
Continue on State Route 140
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140
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18
Continue on East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Bethalto Drive
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19
Continue on East MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · East MacArthur Drive
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20
Continue on West Macarthur Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive
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21
Continue on College Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · College Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
2989 ft · 60 sec · Washington Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palatine and Upper Alton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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 Palatine and Mostly Sunny near Upper Alton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palatine to Upper Alton?
The road trip is about 287.5 miles (462.7 km) and usually takes 05h 29m 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?
Burns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.8 miles from Palatine and 143.7 miles from Upper Alton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 247.4 miles (398.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.1 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 6:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.28 one way or $76.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Palatine and Mostly Sunny near Upper Alton.
Stop Ideas Near Burns
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burns.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Pontiac station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palatine and Upper Alton. Straight-line distance: 247.39 mi (398.13 km).
#1 Palatine
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 66,830 |
| Coordinates | 42.1103000, -88.0342400 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Upper Alton
City in Madison County, Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 29,251 |
| Coordinates | 38.9114400, -90.1506600 |
| Altitude | 166 |
| Country | United States |
End: Upper Alton (-90.15066, 38.91144)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 463 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.28 | $76.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.17 | $86.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.24 | $94.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.84 | $107.67 |
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.