How far is Plainfield, IL from Upper Alton, IL?
The driving distance from Plainfield, IL to Upper Alton, IL is about 249.2 miles (401.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 213.8 miles (344.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 26m 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 43m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Plainfield and Upper Alton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plainfield and Upper Alton.
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1
Start on West Hazelcrest Drive
94 m · 16 sec · West Hazelcrest Drive
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2
Turn right onto North Division Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Division Street
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3
Turn left onto North Joliet Road
2.2 mi · 5 min · North Joliet Road
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 55 South: Bloomington
1306 ft · 32 sec
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5
Merge slight left
99.9 mi · 1 hr 48 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
62.6 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
1756 ft · 43 sec
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9
Turn right onto East State Street
1 km · 1 min · East State Street
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10
Continue on State Route 140
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140
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11
Continue on East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Bethalto Drive
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12
Continue on East MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · East MacArthur Drive
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13
Continue on West Macarthur Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive
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14
Continue on College Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · College Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
2989 ft · 60 sec · Washington Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Plainfield 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.
I 55 South
Merge slight left
99.9 mi · 01h 48m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Plainfield and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Upper Alton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Plainfield to Upper Alton?
The road trip is about 249.2 miles (401.1 km) and usually takes 04h 43m 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?
Lawndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.6 miles from Plainfield and 124.6 miles from Upper Alton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 213.8 miles (344.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.4 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 7:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.18 one way or $66.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Plainfield and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Upper Alton.
Stop Ideas Near Lawndale
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 Lawndale.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Springfield station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Plainfield and Upper Alton. Straight-line distance: 213.84 mi (344.15 km).
#1 Plainfield
Plainfield is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.6269700, -88.2039500 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| 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: 401 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.18 | $66.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.43 | $74.85 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.96 | $81.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.68 | $93.35 |
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 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.