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Road Trip

Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO Road Trip — Best Stops Along the Way

The best attractions, restaurants, and scenic stops between Chicago, IL and St. Louis, MO. 297 mi, approximately 4 hours 27 mins of driving. Real drive times, real ratings, real photos.

Chicago, ILSt. Louis, MO

297 mi · 4 hours 27 mins drive · 12 stops found

12 stops along the way

Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL 60605
1

Shedd Aquarium

Chicago, IL 60605

12 min from Chicago4.5 (32,151)FamilyAttraction
The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL 60532
2

The Morton Arboretum

Lisle, IL 60532

32 min from Chicago4.8 (14,041)Attraction
Starved Rock State Park, IL 61348, USA
3

Starved Rock State Park

IL 61348, USA

1 hr 35 min from Chicago4.7 (17,287)NatureAttraction
Crazy Presidential Elephant, Lexington, IL 61753
4

Crazy Presidential Elephant

Lexington, IL 61753

1 hr 53 min from Chicago4.8 (29)Attraction
Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary, S Linden St, Normal
5

Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary

S Linden St, Normal

2 hrs 8 min from Chicago4.6 (225)NatureAttraction
Children's Discovery Museum, Normal, IL 61761
6

Children's Discovery Museum

Normal, IL 61761

2 hrs 8 min from Chicago4.7 (1,077)HistoryAttraction
World’s Largest Square Knot, Hudson, IL 61748
7

World’s Largest Square Knot

Hudson, IL 61748

2 hrs 10 min from Chicago4.4 (46)Attraction
McLean County Museum of History, Bloomington, IL 61701
8

McLean County Museum of History

Bloomington, IL 61701

2 hrs 13 min from Chicago4.7 (364)HistoryAttraction
Cruisin with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center and Gift Shop, Bloomington, IL 61701
9

Cruisin with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center and Gift Shop

Bloomington, IL 61701

2 hrs 13 min from Chicago4.7 (56)HistoryAttraction
Grady's Family Fun Park, Bloomington, IL 61701
10

Grady's Family Fun Park

Bloomington, IL 61701

2 hrs 13 min from Chicago4.3 (657)FamilyFoodAttraction
David Davis Mansion, Bloomington, IL 61701
11

David Davis Mansion

Bloomington, IL 61701

2 hrs 13 min from Chicago4.8 (334)HistoryAttraction
Miller Park, Bloomington, IL 61701
12

Miller Park

Bloomington, IL 61701

2 hrs 14 min from Chicago4.6 (1,206)NatureAttraction

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the drive from Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO?

The drive from Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO is 297 mi, taking approximately 4 hours 27 mins without stops. With stops for food, gas, and sightseeing, plan for a full day.

What are the best stops between Chicago, IL and St. Louis, MO?

The best stops include scenic overlooks, state parks, historic towns, and local restaurants along the route. Check the stop cards above for top-rated options with real drive times and ratings from Google.

Is the Chicago to St. Louis drive scenic?

Yes. The route between Chicago, IL and St. Louis, MO passes through several interesting areas. The stops listed above highlight the best scenic, cultural, and food destinations along the way.

Should I make the Chicago to St. Louis trip a road trip or just drive straight through?

We recommend making it a road trip. The stops between Chicago, IL and St. Louis, MO are worth the detour. Most add less than 30 minutes to your total drive and offer experiences you won't find at highway rest stops.

Don't know where to go?

Tell us your interests, budget, and how far you want to drive. We'll find the perfect trip for you.

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