How far is York, IL from Waterman, IL?

The driving distance from York, IL to Waterman, IL is about 256.6 miles (413 km), with a travel time of about 05h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 189.3 miles (304.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
256.6 mi
05h 19m
Flight
189.29 mi
304.64 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from York.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
189.29 mi
Kilometers
304.64 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
256.6 mi
Kilometers
412.95 km
Drive Time
05h 19m

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 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterman
Thu, Apr 16, 6:05 AM CDT
Return by in York
Thu, Apr 16, 11:24 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave York
2026-04-16T00:45
Arrive Waterman
Thu, Apr 16, 6:05 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:20 AM to 1:20 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:20 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in York
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Empire
IL

Township in McLean County, Illinois

From York
128.3 mi
02h 39m
To Waterman
128.3 mi
02h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 5:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 16 mph SW
Destination
71°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between York and Waterman.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between York and Waterman.

  1. 1

    Start on North York Street

    621 ft · 29 sec · North York Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Broadway Street

    1290 ft · 57 sec · West Broadway Street

  3. 3

    Continue on East 150th Road

    1.9 mi · 8 min · East 150th Road

  4. 4

    Turn sharp right onto IL 1

    31.3 mi · 46 min · IL 1

  5. 5

    Continue on IL Route 1

    2.4 mi · 6 min · IL Route 1

  6. 6

    Continue on Georgetown Road

    10 mi · 15 min · Georgetown Road

  7. 7

    Continue on 1575 E US 36

    1700 ft · 29 sec · 1575 E US 36

  8. 8

    Continue on Georgetown Road

    6.1 mi · 9 min · Georgetown Road

  9. 9

    Continue on North State Street

    1.9 mi · 3 min · North State Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Georgetown Road

    13.7 mi · 21 min · Georgetown Road

  11. 11

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 74 West: Champaign

    1238 ft · 41 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 74 West

    2147 ft · 46 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    86.2 mi · 1 hr 33 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    1.5 km · 59 sec

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford

    88 mi · 1 hr 35 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30: Sterling, Rock Falls, Aurora

    2020 ft · 49 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right

    12.3 mi · 18 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto North Elm Street

    931 ft · 26 sec · North Elm Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Elm Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between York and Waterman.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 39 North
88 mi · 34%
I 74 West
87.7 mi · 34%
IL 1
31.3 mi · 12%
Georgetown Road
29.8 mi · 12%
IL Route 1
2.4 mi · 1%
East 150th Road
1.95 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 39 North

Take the exit slight right toward I 39 North: Rockford

88 mi · 01h 35m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 19m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+67.3 mi
189.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Empire
02h 39m from York
Leave By
6:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving York and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterman.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from York to Waterman?

The road trip is about 256.6 miles (413 km) and usually takes 05h 19m 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?

Empire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.3 miles from York and 128.3 miles from Waterman.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 189.3 miles (304.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 67.3 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 6:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.13 one way or $68.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around York and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waterman.

Stop Ideas Near Empire

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Empire, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Empire.

RAIL

Uptown Station

33 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Illinois Terminal

45 mi away
45 East University Ave.
RAIL

Rantoul

46 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
RAIL

Lincoln

58 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between York and Waterman. Straight-line distance: 189.29 mi (304.64 km).

York

#1 York

Town in Clark County, Wisconsin, USA

Population853
Coordinates39.1714300, -87.6391900
Altitude137
CountryUnited States
Waterman

#2 Waterman

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

Population1,497
Coordinates41.7717000, -88.7736900
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Start: York (-87.63919, 39.17143)
End: Waterman (-88.77369, 41.7717)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 413 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.05 gal
34.27 L · about $34.13
Round trip
$68.26
18.1 gal · 68.54 L
Estimated CO2
80.4 kg one way
Round trip: 160.9 kg / 355 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $34.13 $68.26
Mid-grade $4.25 $38.49 $76.98
Premium $4.65 $42.12 $84.24
Diesel $5.30 $48.00 $96.00

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

There is no time difference between York and Waterman. The current time is 00:45:46.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.