Metropolis, IL to Chicago, IL is 362.6 miles and takes about 6h 46m via I-57 and I-24, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region toward another part of the Midwest. It's a mostly highway trip that should be straightforward for most drivers. Given the relatively short duration and high highway percentage, it's designed for a single-day transit rather than an overnight excursion.
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
181.3 miles from Metropolis, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
195.2 mi
3h 34m
Ken Gray Expressway
119.1 mi
2h 8m
I 24
25.4 mi
27m
North Avenue
6.3 mi
9m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.2 mi
8m
New Columbia Road
4.3 mi
5m
Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi
4m
Big Bay Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 195.2 mi, about 3h 34m
Traffic on I-57
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,006 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,239
Quietest
3 AM
~158 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Metropolis, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on West 5th Street
45 ft·8 sec·West 5th Street
2
Turn left onto US 45
0.4 mi·1 min·Ferry Street
3
Turn left onto US 45
0.2 mi·29 sec·West 10th Street
4
Turn right onto Pearl Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Pearl Street
5
Turn slight left onto North Avenue
6.3 mi·9 min·North Avenue
6
Continue on New Columbia Road
4.3 mi·5 min·New Columbia Road
7
Turn right onto Big Bay Road
0.4 mi·41 sec·Big Bay Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward New Columbia, Big Bay
9
Merge onto I 24
25 mi·27 min·I 24
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 44BToward I 57 North: Chicago
11
Merge onto I 57
52 mi·55 min·Ken Gray Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
67 mi·1 hr 12 min·Ken Gray Expressway
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57
195 mi·3 hr 34 min·I 57
Toward I 57 North: ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi·4 min·Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 53AToward Canalport Avenue, Cermak RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
243 ft·6 sec·South Ruble Street
18
Turn slight left
75 ft·4 sec
19
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
0.2 mi·26 sec·South Canalport Avenue
20
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Halsted Street
21
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi·24 sec·West Cermak Road
22
Turn left
152 ft·11 sec
23
Turn right
0.2 mi·58 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 6h 46m drive, leaving Metropolis, IL in the morning is advisable to take advantage of daylight and avoid arriving in Chicago too late. With only one recommended stop and a high highway share, you can easily complete this in a single day. The longest stretch without exiting is over 195 miles on I-57, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before you hit that segment. The estimated fuel cost is around $57, so factor that into your budget. Since this is a manageable drive for one day, you have flexibility in your timing.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 181.3 miles from Metropolis, IL, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.2 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.3 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 35m
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 Metropolis, 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 Metropolis, IL
This is one driving day of about 362.6 miles and 6h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Metropolis, 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 195.2 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 0.6 and 361.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|Pearl Street
Turn right onto Pearl Street
Navigation decision point
6
37.4 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 44B
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
156.8 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|I 57
Keep slight left at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
6
355.4 mi into trip|~6h 34m 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
361.5 mi into trip|~6h 43m 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
$60.29 one way
$120.57 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg127 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$65.67
$131.34
premium
$5.18
$73.99
$147.98
diesel
$5.35
$76.37
$152.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.8
1
$38.07
$17.40
Efficient EV
90.7
1
$31.73
$14.50
EV Truck/SUV
145
1
$50.76
$23.21
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Metropolis, IL
Afternoon
in Metropolis on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
Destination
Chicago, IL
Afternoon
in Chicago on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Chance Rain Showers
NNE 5 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 10:38AM CDT until June 3 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
66°F
Shelbyville, IL
181 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
7 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
6h 46m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 350.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 96% of the route on major roads like I-57 and I-24. You'll experience a long stretch of 195.2 miles on I-57, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. Expect to transition from these interstates onto Ken Gray Expressway as you approach your destination, marking the end of the main highway section. Keep an eye out for the dense network of exits as you get closer to Chicago.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 195.2 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Ken Gray Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Pearl Street.
Driving Effort7/10
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 362.6 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 0.6 miles (Pearl Street): Navigation decision point; at 37.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 156.8 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Metropolis is a small city in Southern Illinois probably named out of wishful thinking which hasn't really been borne out. The town's current claim to fame is as the host for a floating riverboat casino run by the Harrah's casino chain of Reno, Nevada. The town has also capitalized on its name by erecting what is referred to on road signs as a Giant Statue of Superman of DC Comics fame. In fact, though the statue is called giant it's less than half as tall as the statue of Big John the grocer, which is found in front of the Big John's supermarket on the way into town. Big John's also hosts a small gaming casino room.
Top landmarks
•Elijah P. Curtis House — historic house in Illinois, United States
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 6h 46m. Total distance: 362.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 195.2 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 46 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Pearl Street): Navigation decision point; at 37.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 156.8 miles (I 57): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chicago, IL before the return drive.
