Clear Lake, IL Road Trips

With 12 routes heading out and 12 heading in, Clear Lake, IL works well as a modest departure point in the Midwest. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 65-mile quick runs to 212-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Clear Lake, IL head north, giving the route network a clear directional lean.

Photo: Tommes Frites

Trip Routes

24

Longest Drive

211.8 mi

Evanston, IL

Quickest Drive

1h 4m

Bloomington, IL

Plan Around Clear Lake, IL

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if Clear Lake, IL is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

Evanston, IL to Clear Lake, IL 210.9 mi · 4h 9m Niles, IL to Clear Lake, IL 204.1 mi · 3h 55m Des Plaines, IL to Clear Lake, IL 201.9 mi · 3h 51m Hoffman Estates, IL to Clear Lake, IL 201.1 mi · 3h 49m

Continue From Clear Lake, IL

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Clear Lake, IL to Evanston, IL 211.8 mi · 3h 34m Clear Lake, IL to Niles, IL 206.7 mi · 3h 21m Clear Lake, IL to Des Plaines, IL 202.8 mi · 3h 14m Clear Lake, IL to Hoffman Estates, IL 201.7 mi · 3h 11m

Trips from Clear Lake, IL

Clear Lake, IL to Evanston, IL

211.8 mi 3h 34m

Clear Lake, IL to Niles, IL

206.7 mi 3h 21m

Clear Lake, IL to Des Plaines, IL

202.8 mi 3h 14m

Clear Lake, IL to Hoffman Estates, IL

201.7 mi 3h 11m

Clear Lake, IL to Chicago, IL

197.4 mi 3h 14m

Clear Lake, IL to Berwyn, IL

192 mi 3h 7m

Clear Lake, IL to Elmhurst, IL

191.5 mi 3h 6m

Clear Lake, IL to Wheaton, IL

190.2 mi 3h 3m

Clear Lake, IL to Markham, IL

184.4 mi 2h 52m

Clear Lake, IL to North Peoria, IL

73.4 mi 1h 10m

Clear Lake, IL to Peoria, IL

71.3 mi 1h 7m

Clear Lake, IL to Bloomington, IL

64.9 mi 1h 4m

Driving from Clear Lake, IL

Expect an average of 166 miles and about 2h 40m behind the wheel when leaving Clear Lake, IL. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 212 miles (3h 34m), while the shortest is just 65 miles.

Popular Destinations

The most popular drives from Clear Lake, IL include Evanston, IL (211.8 mi, 3h 34m), Niles, IL (206.7 mi, 3h 21m), Des Plaines, IL (202.8 mi, 3h 14m), Hoffman Estates, IL (201.7 mi, 3h 11m), and Chicago, IL (197.4 mi, 3h 14m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in IL currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 166-mile trip from Clear Lake, IL, budget about $25 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Routes mostly head north. Summer trips benefit from long daylight hours, while winter departures should start early to maximize visibility. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 12 mapped routes leaving Clear Lake, IL and 12 routes heading into Clear Lake, IL, covering 24 total connections. Distances range from 65 to 212 miles.

The longest mapped route from Clear Lake, IL covers 212 miles and takes approximately 3h 34m. Shorter options start at just 65 miles.

The average route from Clear Lake, IL runs about 166 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 40m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 166-mile trip from Clear Lake, IL costs roughly $25 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Clear Lake, IL include Evanston, IL, Niles, IL, Des Plaines, IL and Hoffman Estates, IL. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.