Origin
Bourbon, IL
Morning in Bourbon on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bourbon, IL to Chicago, IL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
166.3 mi
268 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 10m
★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 46m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bourbon, IL
Chad Populis
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
Bourbon, IL to Chicago, IL is 166.3 miles and takes about 3h 22m via I 57 and Dan Ryan Expressway (Express), with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Illinois. The route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for most vehicles. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion, especially if you're looking for a quick drive north.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.2 miles from Bourbon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 146.5 mi | 2h 42m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| County Road 950 N | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| North County Road 590 East | 1.6 mi | 6m |
| County Highway 16 | 1.1 mi | 4m |
| County Road 950 North | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North County Road 540 East | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 146.5 mi, about 2h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bourbon, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on County Road 490E
139 ft
·
10 sec
·
County Road 490E
2
Turn left onto North County Road 490 East
449 ft
·
19 sec
·
North County Road 490 East
3
Continue on North County Road 475 East
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
North County Road 475 East
4
Continue on County Highway 16
1.1 mi
·
4 min
·
County Highway 16
5
Turn left onto North County Road 540 East
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North County Road 540 East
6
Continue on North County Road 560 East
382 ft
·
16 sec
·
North County Road 560 East
7
Continue on North County Road 590 East
1.6 mi
·
6 min
·
North County Road 590 East
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 36
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road 950 N
9
Continue on US 36
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Southline Road
10
Continue on US 36
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 950 North
11
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
12
Merge onto I 57
147 mi
·
2 hr 42 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 53A
Toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
243 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Ruble Street
17
Turn slight left
75 ft
·
4 sec
18
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
19
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
20
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
21
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
22
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3h 22m drive, consider leaving Bourbon, IL, in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic entering Chicago. With a total distance of 166.3 miles, you likely won't need more than one fuel stop, especially with a budget of around $26. The longest stretch is over 146 miles, so plan for a brief break before you get to that point. As you near Chicago, be prepared for increased traffic density and more frequent exits.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.2 miles from Bourbon, IL, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 37 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.2 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chicago, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bourbon, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bourbon, IL
This is one driving day of about 166.3 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Bourbon, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 146.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.2 miles from Bourbon, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 165.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North County Road 490 East
Turn left onto North County Road 490 East
Navigation decision point
5
3.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
US 36 / County Road 950 N
At end of road, turn right onto US 36 / County Road 950 N
Navigation decision point
5
9.3 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
159.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
|
I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...
8
165.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.00 one way
$52.00 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.55 | $57.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.00 | $64.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.72 | $73.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.9 | 0 | $17.46 | $7.98 |
| Efficient EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.55 | $6.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.28 | $10.64 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Chicago, IL
Morning in Chicago on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 22m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 94% of this 166.3-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 146.5 miles, primarily on I 57. Expect the highway portion to conclude as you approach Chicago, transitioning to the Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) and then County Road 950 N. The frequent exits on the expressway near the city can make for busy driving.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.5 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North County Road 490 East.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 22m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North County Road 490 East): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (US 36 / County Road 950 N): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Chicago, IL
Full guide →Chicago is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. "Stormy, Husky, Brawling / City of Big Shoulders," Chicago is a Heartland boomtown, its ethos defined by urban planner Daniel Burnham's immortal vision: "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." It is one of the world's great cities and the third largest city in the United States, behind only New York City and Los Angeles. As the hub of the Midwest, Chicago is easy to find — its picturesque skyline calls across the waters of Lake Michigan, a first impression that soon reveals world-class museums of art and science, miles of sandy beaches, huge parks and public art, and perhaps the finest downtown collection of modern architecture in the world.
Top landmarks
- • Willis Tower — skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois
- • Art Institute of Chicago — art museum and school in Chicago, United States
- • Wrigley Field — baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, USA; home venue of the Chicago Cubs
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 166.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 146.5 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North County Road 490 East): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (US 36 / County Road 950 N): Navigation decision point; at 9.3 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Chicago, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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