Traveling from Burgess to Chicago covers 196.9 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a direct interstate sprint, you should plan on dedicating a full day to the journey. Budgeting approximately $29 for fuel will keep you covered for the trip within the Illinois Midwest region. Since the drive is manageable in a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. It serves as a practical connection between rural landscapes and the major urban hub of Chicago. Assessing your schedule before departing will ensure you have enough time to navigate the local roads comfortably.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
98.5 miles from Burgess, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
115.7 mi
2h 4m
I 55
36.1 mi
45m
Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9.4 mi
10m
IL 17
7.2 mi
10m
US 150
6.4 mi
9m
US 67
5.4 mi
8m
West Main Street
3.7 mi
5m
Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 115.7 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burgess, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on 41st Avenue
0.1 mi·33 sec·41st Avenue
2
Turn straight onto 235th Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·235th Street
3
Turn left onto 40th Avenue
2.6 mi·10 min·40th Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 67
5.4 mi·8 min·US 67
5
Turn right onto IL 17
7.2 mi·10 min·IL 17
6
Continue on IL 17
3.7 mi·5 min·West Main Street
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 150
6.4 mi·9 min·US 150
8
Turn right onto IL 81
0.8 mi·1 min·IL 81
9
Continue on IL 81
0.4 mi·38 sec·South Street
10
Continue on IL 81
1.2 mi·1 min·IL 81
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
12
Merge onto I 74; IL 110
9.4 mi·10 min·Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·48 sec
Toward I 80 East: Chicago
14
Merge onto I 80
116 mi·2 hr 4 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 126BToward I 55 North: ChicagoUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto I 55
36 mi·45 min·I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi·4 min·Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 290Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward Damen AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft·12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen AvenueUse the left lane.
21
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·South Damen Avenue
22
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Blue Island Avenue
23
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West Cermak Road
24
Turn right
152 ft·11 sec
25
Turn right
0.2 mi·58 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 20 minute trip, aim to depart early to allow for the frequent turns and local navigation required. Since the route involves one planned stop, use that break strategically to rest and refuel your vehicle within the $29 budget. Stay alert on 235th Street and 40th Avenue, as the lack of highway miles means you will be relying on local signage and road markers throughout the duration. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so don't feel pressured to rush through the technical sections of the drive. Keeping a close eye on your navigation is essential for this specific path, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads makes it easy to lose your way if you aren't paying close attention.
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 98.5 miles from Burgess, IL, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.7 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 43 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.5 miles or 2h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 14m
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 Burgess, 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 Burgess, IL
This is one driving day of about 196.9 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Burgess, 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 80 for about 115.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 28 and 194.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
28 mi into trip|~48m in
Take the ramp toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
7
153.9 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
194.1 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
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 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
8
194.2 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Damen Avenue
9
194.5 mi into trip|~3h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.78 one way
$61.57 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.80
$67.60
premium
$4.89
$37.89
$75.78
diesel
$5.61
$43.47
$86.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.1
0
$20.67
$9.45
Efficient EV
49.2
0
$17.23
$7.88
EV Truck/SUV
78.8
0
$27.57
$12.60
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Burgess, IL
Late night
in Burgess on Tuesday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chicago, IL
Late night
in Chicago on Tuesday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 15 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 1:54AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 1:33AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
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
20 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 3m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 196.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a unique experience behind the wheel, as this route consists entirely of local roads rather than high-speed interstates. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend the entire 196.9 miles navigating 235th Street, 40th Avenue, and US 67. The drive is defined by its turn-heavy character, requiring your full attention as you transition between these smaller routes. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches on highways, you should prepare for a more involved, hands-on driving experience. This journey avoids the typical monotonous interstate grind, offering a steady, winding path from your starting point to the city.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.7 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 196.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 28 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 194.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Burgess, IL to Chicago, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Rock Island along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 196.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.7 miles on I 80. 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Chicago, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 28 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 194.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Chicago, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
