Origin
Kankakee, IL
Late night in Kankakee on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kankakee, 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
1h 14m
Distance
57.5 mi
93 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 9m
★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 26m
10 AM
1h 19m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 19m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kankakee, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward connection between Kankakee and Chicago, this 57.5-mile journey is designed for efficiency. Spanning about 1 hour and 14 minutes, the route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stops. You will primarily rely on I-57 and the Dan Ryan Expressway to reach your destination. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $9, this drive is as cost-effective as it is direct. Since both locations sit firmly within the Midwest, you can expect familiar terrain throughout the entire trip. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes getting you from the Kankakee area into the heart of Chicago without unnecessary detours.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 42.8 mi | 50m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| South Kinzie Avenue | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| North Harrison Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Hobbie Avenue | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Fair Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 42.8 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kankakee, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on IL 17
402 ft
·
16 sec
·
East Court Street
2
Turn left onto IL 50
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Harrison Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto IL 50
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Fair Street
4
Continue on IL 50
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
·
North Hobbie Avenue
5
Continue on IL 50
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Kinzie Avenue
6
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I-57 North: Chicago
7
Merge onto I 57
43 mi
·
50 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 53A
Toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
243 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Ruble Street
12
Turn slight left
75 ft
·
4 sec
13
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
14
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
15
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
16
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
17
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.8 miles from Kankakee, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 56.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
IL 50 / Fair Street
At end of road, turn right onto IL 50 / Fair Street
Navigation decision point
5
4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Turn left toward I-57 North: Chicago
Navigation decision point
Toward I-57 North: Chicago
5
4.2 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
50.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m 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
56.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m 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
$8.99 one way
$17.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.87 | $19.74 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.07 | $22.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.70 | $25.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.04 | $2.76 |
| Efficient EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.03 | $2.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23 | 0 | $8.05 | $3.68 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Chicago, IL
Late night in Chicago on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 15 mph
98% chance
Live 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
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
2 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 14m 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?
Expect a focused highway experience, as 91% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-57, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 42.8 miles. The character of the drive is utilitarian, shifting from the open lanes outside of Kankakee to the more complex, high-traffic environment of the Dan Ryan Expressway as you approach the city. Because the path is so heavily dominated by interstates, it offers a consistent pace rather than a varied scenic tour. Be prepared for the transition from rural or suburban stretches into the dense, multi-lane flow of Chicago’s major expressways.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.8 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near IL 50 / Fair Street.
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 57.5 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.9 miles (IL 50 / Fair Street): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 4.2 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
773 ft
580 ft
Total Climb
100 ft
Total Descent
219 ft
Highest Point
773 ft
~24.7 mi in
Elevation Range
193 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Kankakee, IL
Full guide →Founded 1853
Top landmarks
- • Kankakee — Amtrak station in the Illinois city
- • Warren Hickox House — historic house in Illinois, United States
- • Kankakee County Courthouse — local government building in the United States
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 1h 14m. Total distance: 57.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.8 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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 0.9 miles (IL 50 / Fair Street): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 4.2 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Chicago, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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