Mattoon, IL

united states

Mattoon sits in east-central Illinois along Interstate 57, about three hours south of Chicago. The city serves as a regional hub for Coles County, with I-57 providing the main north-south route and Route 16 running east-west toward Springfield. Most visitors arrive via I-57 from Chicago or Effingham, while locals use US 45 for the short trip to Charleston and Eastern Illinois University. The town proudly claims to be the original birthplace of Burger King, where the chain's signature flame-broiling technique was first developed in 1954.