How far is Sterling, IL from Arlington Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Sterling, IL to Arlington Heights, IL is about 116.3 miles (187.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 90.6 miles (145.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 DeKalb County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Arlington Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Arlington Heights.
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1
Start on Locust Street
764 ft · 15 sec · Locust Street
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2
Keep slight right to continue on East 2nd Street
144 m · 10 sec · East 2nd Street
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3
Turn straight onto 1st Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · 1st Avenue
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4
Turn left onto East Rock Falls Road
2.9 mi · 4 min · East Rock Falls Road
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5
Take the ramp left
1563 ft · 39 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
87.7 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
1.1 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
10.6 mi · 13 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
2.7 mi · 4 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward East Euclid Avenue, Third District, Circuit Court
1856 ft · 45 sec
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12
Turn slight right onto Euclid Avenue
2.5 mi · 6 min · Euclid Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Euclid Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and Arlington Heights.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
87.7 mi · 01h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Sterling and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Arlington Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Arlington Heights?
The road trip is about 116.3 miles (187.1 km) and usually takes 01h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cortland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.5 miles from Sterling and 58.8 miles from Arlington Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 90.6 miles (145.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.46 one way or $30.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Sterling and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Arlington Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Cortland
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 Cortland.
Plano
Rockford, Illinois
Naperville
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Arlington Heights. Straight-line distance: 90.57 mi (145.76 km).
#1 Sterling
City in Whiteside County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 14,313 |
| Coordinates | 41.7886400, -89.6962200 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| 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: 187 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.46 | $30.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.44 | $34.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.08 | $38.16 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.75 | $43.49 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.