How far is Wheaton, IL from Alton, IL?
The driving distance from Wheaton, IL to Alton, IL is about 270.3 miles (435 km), with a travel time of about 05h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 232.8 miles (374.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 37m 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 18m.
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.
Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wheaton and Alton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wheaton and Alton.
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1
Start on West Wesley Street
761 ft · 23 sec · West Wesley Street
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2
Turn left onto North Wheaton Avenue
142 m · 28 sec · North Wheaton Avenue
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3
Turn left onto West Front Street
897 ft · 31 sec · West Front Street
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4
Turn right onto South Main Street
2252 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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5
Turn left onto East Roosevelt Road
906 ft · 26 sec · East Roosevelt Road
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6
Turn right onto South Naperville Road
4.3 mi · 8 min · South Naperville Road
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7
Continue on Naper Boulevard
3.5 mi · 7 min · Naper Boulevard
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8
Turn right onto Hobson Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Hobson Road
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Washington Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · South Washington Street
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10
Turn right onto Washington Street
2580 ft · 51 sec · Washington Street
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11
Continue on Weber Road
3.9 mi · 7 min · Weber Road
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12
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 South: Bloomington
1902 ft · 49 sec
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13
Merge slight left
105.9 mi · 1 hr 55 min
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
62.6 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
1756 ft · 43 sec
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17
Turn right onto East State Street
1 km · 1 min · East State Street
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18
Continue on State Route 140
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140
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19
Continue on East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Bethalto Drive
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20
Continue on East MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · East MacArthur Drive
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21
Continue on West Macarthur Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive
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22
Continue on College Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · College Avenue
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward College Avenue
121 m · 8 sec · College Avenue
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24
Exit the roundabout onto College Avenue
1355 ft · 27 sec · College Avenue
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25
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Drive
1.5 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive
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26
Continue on Piasa Street
1877 ft · 37 sec · Piasa Street
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27
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
662 ft · 31 sec · West 3rd Street
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28
Turn right onto Alby Street
36 m · 5 sec · Alby Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Alby Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wheaton and 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
106 mi · 01h 55m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Wheaton and Mostly Sunny near Alton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wheaton to Alton?
The road trip is about 270.3 miles (435 km) and usually takes 05h 18m 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?
McLean is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.1 miles from Wheaton and 135.1 miles from Alton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 232.8 miles (374.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.5 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 6:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.98 one way or $71.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Wheaton and Mostly Sunny near Alton.
Stop Ideas Near McLean
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McLean.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Springfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wheaton and Alton. Straight-line distance: 232.83 mi (374.71 km).
#1 Wheaton
The most populous city in DuPage County, Illinois.
| Population | 52,451 |
| Coordinates | 41.8661400, -88.1070100 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alton
City in Madison County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 26,049 |
| Coordinates | 38.8906000, -90.1842800 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alton (-90.18428, 38.8906)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 435 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.98 | $71.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $40.57 | $81.15 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $44.40 | $88.80 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $50.60 | $101.20 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.