How far is Park Ridge, IL from Waterloo, IL?
The driving distance from Park Ridge, IL to Waterloo, IL is about 317.2 miles (510.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 281.7 miles (453.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 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 06h 00m.
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.
City in Logan County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Park Ridge and Waterloo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Park Ridge and Waterloo.
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1
Start on the route
7 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn left onto North Greenwood Avenue
28 m · 6 sec · North Greenwood Avenue
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3
Turn right onto West Touhy Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · West Touhy Avenue
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4
Turn left onto South Des Plaines River Road
56 m · 4 sec · South Des Plaines River Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
2265 ft · 55 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11.5 mi · 15 min · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
82 mi · 1 hr 29 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 255: Memphis, Interstate 270
1386 ft · 34 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 255 South: Memphis
1.1 mi · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left
17.2 mi · 20 min
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17
Take the exit slight left toward IL 3 South: Columbia
10.4 mi · 13 min
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18
Turn left onto North Market Street
1.4 mi · 4 min · North Market Street
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19
Turn right onto West Mill Street
79 m · 11 sec · West Mill Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Mill Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Park Ridge and Waterloo.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119 mi · 02h 13m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Park Ridge and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Park Ridge to Waterloo?
The road trip is about 317.2 miles (510.5 km) and usually takes 06h 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?
Atlanta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.6 miles from Park Ridge and 158.6 miles from Waterloo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 281.7 miles (453.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.5 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 5:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $52.25 one way or $104.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Park Ridge and Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterloo.
Stop Ideas Near Atlanta
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Atlanta.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Springfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Park Ridge and Waterloo. Straight-line distance: 281.66 mi (453.28 km).
#1 Park Ridge
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 36,514 |
| Coordinates | 42.0111400, -87.8406200 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waterloo
City in Illinois
| Population | 10,536 |
| Coordinates | 38.3358900, -90.1498300 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waterloo (-90.14983, 38.33589)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 511 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $52.25 | $104.50 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $59.27 | $118.54 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $65.37 | $130.75 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $73.60 | $147.19 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026