How far is Wheaton, IL from Independence, IL?
The driving distance from Wheaton, IL to Independence, IL is about 261 miles (420 km), with a travel time of about 05h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 214 miles (344.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 18m 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 09m.
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 McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wheaton and Independence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wheaton and Independence.
-
1
Start on West Wesley Street
761 ft · 23 sec · West Wesley Street
-
2
Turn left onto North Wheaton Avenue
142 m · 28 sec · North Wheaton Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto West Front Street
897 ft · 31 sec · West Front Street
-
4
Turn right onto South Main Street
2252 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
-
5
Turn left onto East Roosevelt Road
906 ft · 26 sec · East Roosevelt Road
-
6
Turn right onto South Naperville Road
4.3 mi · 8 min · South Naperville Road
-
7
Continue on Naper Boulevard
3.5 mi · 7 min · Naper Boulevard
-
8
Turn right onto Hobson Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Hobson Road
-
9
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Washington Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · South Washington Street
-
10
Turn right onto Washington Street
2580 ft · 51 sec · Washington Street
-
11
Continue on Weber Road
3.9 mi · 7 min · Weber Road
-
12
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 South: Bloomington
1902 ft · 49 sec
-
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
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
62.5 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 54, IL 107: Griggsville, Pittsfield
1298 ft · 25 sec
-
17
Turn slight left
5.3 mi · 9 min
-
18
Turn left onto East Washington Street
123 m · 9 sec · East Washington Street
-
19
Turn right onto South Illinois Street
130 m · 24 sec · South Illinois Street
-
20
Turn left onto East Fayette Street
109 m · 17 sec · East Fayette Street
-
21
Turn right onto Piper Lane
2017 ft · 1 min · Piper Lane
-
22
Continue on County Highway 7
5 mi · 12 min · County Highway 7
-
23
Turn right onto Road 900
79 m · 11 sec · Road 900
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Road 900
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wheaton and Independence.
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.
Rain Showers leaving Wheaton and Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Independence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wheaton to Independence?
The road trip is about 261 miles (420 km) and usually takes 05h 09m 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?
Funks Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.4 miles from Wheaton and 130.6 miles from Independence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 214 miles (344.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 47 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 6:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.96 one way or $85.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Wheaton and Patchy Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Independence.
Stop Ideas Near Funks Grove
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
City Hall - Town of Normal
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Funks Grove.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wheaton and Independence. Straight-line distance: 213.98 mi (344.36 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 Independence
Township in Saline County, Illinois
| Population | 1,044 |
| Coordinates | 39.5314400, -90.7915200 |
| Altitude | 203 |
| Country | United States |
End: Independence (-90.79152, 39.53144)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 420 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $42.96 | $85.93 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $48.74 | $97.48 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $53.76 | $107.52 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $60.52 | $121.04 |
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