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Trip from Chicago, IL to Lanark, IL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 51m

Distance

134.5 mi

217 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 40m ★
6 AM
2h 52m
8 AM
3h 14m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 45m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown chicago-il

Chicago, IL

Otoniel Alvarado

city in Illinois, United States

Lanark, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 134.5-mile drive from Chicago, IL, to Lanark, IL, is a straightforward 2-hour and 51-minute journey, making it an ideal day trip. You'll navigate primarily on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and US 52, with a 33% highway share, keeping your driving experience varied. With an estimated fuel cost of around $21, this trip is budget-friendly. It's a solid option for a quick getaway within the Midwest, offering a simple transition from the urban landscape to more open territory. You can comfortably complete this route in one day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

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

67.3 miles from Chicago, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 86.2 mi 1h 36m
US 52 22.8 mi 34m
Eisenhower Expressway 12.1 mi 16m
IL 26 9.3 mi 14m
South Ashland Avenue 1.7 mi 3m
West Cermak Road 0.8 mi 1m
South Broad Street 0.4 mi <1m
West Van Buren Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway — 86.2 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Lanark, IL.

1

Start on this road

0.2 mi · 1 min · this road
2

At end of road, turn left onto West Cermak Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Cermak Road
3

Turn right onto South Ashland Avenue

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Ashland Avenue
4

Turn left onto West Van Buren Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · West Van Buren Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
5

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward I 290 West
6

Merge onto I 290; IL 110

12 mi · 16 min · Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110

1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 15A Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana Use the slight left lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110

25 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road) Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110

59 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward IL 26: Dixon
11

Turn right onto IL 26

9.3 mi · 14 min · IL 26
12

Continue on US 52; IL 26

23 mi · 34 min · US 52; IL 26
13

Turn right onto IL 73

0.4 mi · 44 sec · South Broad Street
14

Turn left onto West Locust Street

173 ft · 9 sec · West Locust Street
15

Turn right

69 ft · 5 sec
16

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given its manageable 2-hour and 51-minute duration, this trip is perfect for a spontaneous day excursion. You can depart whenever suits you best, as the 134.5-mile distance doesn't necessitate an early start. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway is 86.2 miles, and planning your stops around this is wise. The estimated fuel cost of $21 suggests only one or two refueling stops might be needed. Since it’s a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to take your time and enjoy the changing scenery.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.3 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.2 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 30 miles or 41m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 67.3 miles or 1h 23m 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 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lanark, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Chicago, 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 Chicago, IL

This is one driving day of about 134.5 miles and 2h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Chicago, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 86.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city on tripoints of DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aurora, IL

67 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

Lisle, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sycamore, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.3 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.2 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 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 42 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | West Cermak Road

At end of road, turn left onto West Cermak Road

Navigation decision point

6
2.7 mi into trip | ~6m in | West Van Buren Street

Turn left onto West Van Buren Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
9
15 mi into trip | ~23m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora, Indiana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 15A Toward I 88 West Toll, I 294 South Toll: Aurora...
8
16.9 mi into trip | ~26m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
8
42 mi into trip | ~56m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 88 Toll West, IL 47: DeKalb

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.03 one way

$42.06 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.09 $46.17
premium $4.89 $25.88 $51.77
diesel $5.61 $29.70 $59.39

Estimated Tolls: $5.17

Reagan Memorial Tollway (86.2 mi) $5.17

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.4 0 $14.12 $6.46
Efficient EV 33.6 0 $11.77 $5.38
EV Truck/SUV 53.8 0 $18.83 $8.61

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (66% 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 14, 2026

Origin

Chicago, IL

Morning in Chicago on Sunday

Local time

9:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSW 15 mph 27% chance Live forecast

Tornado Watch

Tornado Watch issued April 14 at 5:45PM CDT until April 14 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 14 at 4:05PM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI

Destination

Lanark, IL

Morning in Lanark on Sunday

Local time

9:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

51°F

Aurora, IL

67 mi in

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

14 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

2h 51m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is a mixed bag, offering a blend of efficient highway travel and more local road cruising. You'll experience 86.2 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, providing a consistent, faster pace for a significant portion of the journey. As you transition to US 52 and the Eisenhower Expressway, expect a change in scenery and speed. The 33% highway share means you won't be solely on interstates, allowing for a more grounded feel as you approach your destination. This mix keeps the drive engaging without being overly demanding.

33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.2 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Cermak Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 134.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (West Van Buren Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Chicago, IL and Lanark, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and 22Nd Street (Cermak Road).

Indiana

15 mi in | ~23m | via I 88; IL 110

22Nd Street (Cermak Road)

16.9 mi in | ~26m | via I 88; IL 110

About the Cities

Starting 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

Arriving in Lanark, IL

Full guide →

Founded 1861

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 2h 51m. Total distance: 134.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 86.2 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $5.17 in tolls one way, starting with Reagan Memorial Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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 Lanark, 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 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (West Van Buren Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lanark, IL before heading back.

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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