Connecting Fox Lake to Calumet City, this 75.7-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Illinois landscape. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 46 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $12, the drive is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. You will navigate a mix of local roads and major arteries like the Edens and Dan Ryan Expressways. Because the entire route remains within the Midwest, you won't experience major environmental shifts, though you will transition from the northern outskirts toward the southern metropolitan area. It is an efficient path that prioritizes speed and directness over leisure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.8 miles from Fox Lake, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi
17m
IL 60
10.6 mi
17m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi
11m
Bishop Ford Freeway
8.5 mi
11m
Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi
11m
US 12
5.3 mi
6m
Edens Spur
4.8 mi
5m
US 45
3.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Edens Expressway
— 13.7 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fox Lake, IL and Calumet City, IL.
1
Start on this road
67 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right
58 ft·8 sec
3
Turn left onto US 12
4.1 mi·4 min·US 12
4
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.1 mi·1 min·US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 12; IL 59
0.2 mi·15 sec·US 12; IL 59
6
Turn left onto IL 120
0.6 mi·1 min·West Belvidere Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto IL 60
11 mi·17 min·IL 60
8
Continue on US 45
3.9 mi·6 min·US 45
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on Olde Half Day Road
0.4 mi·50 sec·Olde Half Day Road
Use the left lane.
10
At end of road, turn left onto IL 22
1.8 mi·2 min·West Half Day Road
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 94 East Toll: Indiana
12
Merge onto I 94
2.9 mi·3 min·Tri-State Tollway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
4.8 mi·5 min·Edens Spur
Toward I 94 East Toll: ChicagoUse the slight left lane.
14
Continue on I 94; US 41
14 mi·17 min·Edens Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.1 mi·11 min·Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Continue on I 90; I 94
2.4 mi·2 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
8.8 mi·11 min·Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 ExpressUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
8.5 mi·11 min·Bishop Ford Freeway
Toward I 94 East: IndianaUse the slight left lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 71BToward IL 83 South: East Sibley BoulevardUse the right lane.
20
Turn straight onto Sibley Boulevard
2.6 mi·4 min·Sibley Boulevard
21
Turn right onto Wentworth Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Wentworth Avenue
22
Turn left onto Pulaski Road
114 ft·3 sec·Pulaski Road
23
Arrive at destination
Pulaski Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 46-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. Aim to depart outside of peak rush hours, as the reliance on the Dan Ryan Expressway means traffic density can fluctuate significantly throughout the day. Because there are no designated stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily complete the 75.7-mile distance without needing a formal break. Keep your $12 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and fill up before leaving Fox Lake to avoid higher urban pricing near your destination. A helpful tip for this route is to monitor real-time traffic reports specifically for the Dan Ryan Expressway, as even small delays there can quickly impact your total travel time.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 37.8 miles from Fox Lake, IL, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.7 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.8 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Calumet City, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fox Lake, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fox Lake, IL
This is one driving day of about 75.7 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Fox Lake, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Edens Expressway for about 13.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 21 and 72.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
21 mi into trip|~32m in|IL 22 / West Half Day Road
At end of road, turn left onto IL 22 / West Half Day Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
26.2 mi into trip|~39m in|I 94 / Edens Spur
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Edens Spur toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
8
55.2 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
7
64 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway toward I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 94 East: Indiana
7
72.5 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward IL 83 South: East Sibley Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 71B
Toward IL 83 South: East Sibley Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.83 one way
$23.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$12.99
$25.99
premium
$4.89
$14.57
$29.14
diesel
$5.61
$16.71
$33.43
Estimated Tolls: $0.18
Tri-state Tollway
(2.9 mi)$0.18
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
$12
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.7
0
$7.95
$3.63
Efficient EV
18.9
0
$6.62
$3.03
EV Truck/SUV
30.3
0
$10.60
$4.84
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Fox Lake, IL
Morning
in Fox Lake on Sunday
Local time
6:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Calumet City, IL
Morning
in Calumet City on Sunday
Local time
6:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
1 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
1h 46m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 81% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself settling into a rhythm on the Edens Expressway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 13.7 miles. As you transition from IL 60 onto the Dan Ryan Expressway, the character of the drive shifts from suburban flow to a more intense urban pace. Expect a consistent, highway-focused experience that minimizes stop-and-go local traffic where possible. The road demands your full attention as you move through these major corridors, so prepare for a drive that prioritizes progress over scenery.
81% 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: 13.7 mi on Edens Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Edens Expressway and IL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21 miles in near IL 22 / West Half Day Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.7 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 21 miles (IL 22 / West Half Day Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.2 miles (I 94 / Edens Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.2 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 75.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13.7 miles on Edens Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.18 in tolls one way, starting with Tri-state 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 Calumet City, IL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 21 miles (IL 22 / West Half Day Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.2 miles (I 94 / Edens Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.2 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Calumet City, IL before heading back.
