How far is Vernon Hills, IL from Decatur, IL?
The driving distance from Vernon Hills, IL to Decatur, IL is about 198.6 miles (319.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.1 miles (276.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 44m 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 22m.
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 Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Vernon Hills and Decatur.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vernon Hills and Decatur.
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1
Start on Oakwood Road
11 m · 4 sec · Oakwood Road
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2
Turn right onto Westmoreland Drive
1.2 km · 3 min · Westmoreland Drive
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto IL RT 83
1.2 km · 1 min · IL RT 83
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4
Continue on State Highway 83
2.3 mi · 4 min · State Highway 83
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5
Continue on McHenry Road
1486 ft · 30 sec · McHenry Road
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6
Turn right onto Arlington Heights Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Arlington Heights Road
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7
Turn right onto Lake Cook Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Lake Cook Road
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8
Keep slight right
6.9 mi · 9 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
7 mi · 9 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 South Tollway: Joliet
20.1 mi · 25 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
1453 ft · 36 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Joliet Road South
1965 ft · 48 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
706 ft · 17 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
111.5 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
2.1 mi · 2 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
1616 ft · 40 sec
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17
Continue on North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road
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18
Continue on North Walnut Street
23.2 mi · 30 min · North Walnut Street
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19
Turn straight
4.7 mi · 8 min
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20
Turn left onto East Wood Street
91 m · 8 sec · East Wood Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Wood Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Vernon Hills and Decatur.
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.
Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers leaving Vernon Hills and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Decatur.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Vernon Hills to Decatur?
The road trip is about 198.6 miles (319.6 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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?
Odell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.2 miles from Vernon Hills and 99.3 miles from Decatur.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.1 miles (276.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.5 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 10:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.43 one way or $52.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers around Vernon Hills and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Decatur.
Stop Ideas Near Odell
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 Odell.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Gilman
Kankakee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Vernon Hills and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 172.06 mi (276.9 km).
#1 Vernon Hills
City in United States of America
| Population | 26,425 |
| Coordinates | 42.2194700, -87.9795200 |
| Altitude | 224 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Decatur
The most populous city in Macon County, Illinois.
| Population | 70,007 |
| Coordinates | 39.8403100, -88.9548000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Wood Street (-88.954801, 39.840341)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 320 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.43 | $52.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.81 | $59.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.62 | $65.25 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.18 | $74.36 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.