Drive or Fly: Plainfield, IL to Crystal Lake, IL?
Side-by-side comparison of driving versus flying for this route. Costs, time, and trade-offs at a glance.
Driving wins
MediumNo scheduled commercial flights found for MDW–ORD. At 47 miles, driving is the only practical option.
Find Your Vehicle (EPA fuel economy data)
· · Fuel cost: $
Drive
Door to Door
1h 23m
Distance
47.8 mi
Total Cost
$46
CO2
19 kg
Cost Breakdown
Fly
Door to Door
3h 26m
5m in the air
Air Distance
43 mi
Total Cost
$122
CO2
11 kg
Door-to-Door Timeline
Cost Breakdown
Airports
No scheduled flights found
No commercial flights between MDW and ORD. Flight estimates above are theoretical.
At a Glance
| Drive | Fly | |
|---|---|---|
| Door-to-door time | 1h 23m | 3h 26m |
| Total cost (1 person) | $46 | $122 |
| Carbon footprint | 19 kg CO2 | 11 kg CO2 |
| Flexibility | High | Low |
| Luggage | Unlimited | Restricted |
| Reliability | Weather dependent | Data unavailable |
Costs are estimates. Actual flight prices vary by airline, date, and booking time. Drive costs based on OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices. Computed Apr 17, 2026.
Route Options
2 different routes between these cities.
via CR 34, US 30
via I 355, US 14, I 55
Decided to drive? See the full trip plan from Plainfield, IL to Crystal Lake, IL with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.