Traveling from Lakewood to Chicago covers 217.6 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey fits comfortably into a single day, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations or hotel logistics. Budget approximately $32 for fuel to complete the trip, which keeps the costs manageable for a solo traveler or a small group. Since both locations are situated within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. It is a straightforward transit that works well for those looking to reach the city without an overly complicated itinerary.
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
109.3 miles from Lakewood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
168.9 mi
3h 6m
Route 16
16.9 mi
25m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.2 mi
8m
1300 East
5.5 mi
9m
West Main Street
3.5 mi
5m
Marshall Avenue
3.4 mi
5m
Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi
4m
Charleston Avenue
3.2 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 168.9 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on 750 North
2.0 mi·4 min·750 North
2
At end of road, turn left onto IL 128
5.5 mi·9 min·1300 East
3
At end of road, turn right onto IL 16; IL 128
1.8 mi·2 min·1300 N
4
Continue on IL 16; IL 128
3.5 mi·5 min·West Main Street
5
Continue on IL 16
10 mi·15 min·Route 16
6
Continue on IL 16
0.8 mi·1 min·Kentucky Avenue
7
Continue on IL 16
5.2 mi·7 min·Route 16
8
Continue on IL 16
1.3 mi·1 min·Illinois Route 16
9
Continue on IL 16
1.8 mi·2 min·Marshall Avenue
10
Continue on IL 16
1.5 mi·2 min·Route 16
11
Continue on IL 16
1.6 mi·3 min·Marshall Avenue
12
Turn left onto IL 16
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 21st Street
13
Turn right onto IL 16
3.2 mi·6 min·Charleston Avenue
14
Turn right
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
15
Merge onto I 57
169 mi·3 hr 6 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 53AToward Canalport Avenue, Cermak RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
243 ft·6 sec·South Ruble Street
20
Turn slight left
75 ft·4 sec
21
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
0.2 mi·26 sec·South Canalport Avenue
22
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Halsted Street
23
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi·24 sec·West Cermak Road
24
Turn left
152 ft·11 sec
25
Turn right
0.2 mi·58 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3 hour and 40 minute trip with no mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Keep in mind that because the entire route is comprised of local roads, your travel time may fluctuate based on local traffic conditions. Make sure to fuel up before you head out, as your $32 budget is an estimate that can change depending on efficiency during those frequent turns. A helpful tip for this route is to check your navigation app frequently, as the turn-heavy nature of the local roads can be easy to miscalculate if you aren't paying close attention to upcoming intersections.
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 109.3 miles from Lakewood, IL, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.9 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 48 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.3 miles or 2h 21m 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 38m
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 Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, IL
This is one driving day of about 218.6 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Lakewood, 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 168.9 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 2 and 217.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2 mi into trip|~4m in|IL 128 / 1300 East
At end of road, turn left onto IL 128 / 1300 East
Navigation decision point
5
7.6 mi into trip|~14m in|IL 16; IL 128 / 1300 N
At end of road, turn right onto IL 16; IL 128 / 1300 N
Navigation decision point
5
39.1 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
211.3 mi into trip|~4h 15m 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
217.5 mi into trip|~4h 23m 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
$34.18 one way
$68.35 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$37.52
$75.05
premium
$4.89
$42.07
$84.14
diesel
$5.61
$48.26
$96.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.6
0
$22.95
$10.49
Efficient EV
54.7
0
$19.13
$8.74
EV Truck/SUV
87.4
1
$30.60
$13.99
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Lakewood, IL
Late night
in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
5:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chicago, IL
Late night
in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
5:31 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
8 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 26m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 203.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this route. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating local roads for the entire 217.6-mile duration. This lack of highway travel means you should stay alert, as the winding nature of the path requires more consistent focus than a standard freeway trek. The road's personality is defined by its local character, offering a more hands-on driving experience as you transition toward Chicago. Prepare for a steady pace that rewards drivers who prefer local scenery and active steering over high-speed travel.
90% 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: 168.9 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Route 16. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near IL 128 / 1300 East.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 26m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (IL 128 / 1300 East): Navigation decision point; at 7.6 miles (IL 16; IL 128 / 1300 N): Navigation decision point; at 39.1 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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
The longest stretch is about 168.9 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: at 2 miles (IL 128 / 1300 East): Navigation decision point; at 7.6 miles (IL 16; IL 128 / 1300 N): Navigation decision point; at 39.1 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Chicago, IL, but most travelers stay overnight.
