Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Calumet City, IL to Fox Lake, IL

Drive Time

1h 45m

Distance

76.8 mi

124 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 38m ★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Calumet City, IL, IL

Calumet City, IL

Lorenc Memaga

Downtown Fox Lake, IL, IL

Fox Lake, IL

John Baker

Trip Overview

The drive from Calumet City, IL to Fox Lake, IL covers 76.8 miles and takes about 1h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Tri-State Tollway, North Rand Road, I 290 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 22.9 miles on Tri-State Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.67 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

38.4 miles from Calumet City, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Calumet City, IL to Fox Lake, IL covers 76.8 miles and takes about 1h 45m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 22.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 76.8 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 8.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 30.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
8.8 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the ramp toward I 294 North: Wisconsin

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 8 Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin
6
30.2 mi into trip | ~43m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
31.4 mi into trip | ~44m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Take the exit onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago

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 31 Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Roc...
7
31.5 mi into trip | ~44m in | I 294 / Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 31 Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwa...
6
46.9 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in | IL 53

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Towns Along This Route

Between Calumet City, IL and Fox Lake, IL, road signs point toward Milwaukee, Chicago and Saint Charles Road West.

Milwaukee

31.4 mi in | ~44m | via I 294

Chicago

31.4 mi in | ~44m | via I 294

Saint Charles Road West

33.1 mi in | ~48m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Tri-State Tollway 22.9 mi 28m
North Rand Road 14.3 mi 18m
I 290 13.4 mi 17m
IL 53 8.9 mi 11m
US 12 6 mi 7m
Sibley Boulevard 5.5 mi 9m
East 147th Street 2.9 mi 5m
Lake Cook Road 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Tri-State Tollway — 22.9 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Calumet City, IL and Fox Lake, IL.

1

Start on Pulaski Road

114 ft · 7 sec · Pulaski Road
2

Turn right onto Wentworth Avenue

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Wentworth Avenue
3

Turn left onto Sibley Boulevard

5.5 mi · 9 min · Sibley Boulevard
4

Continue on IL 83

2.9 mi · 5 min · East 147th Street
5

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 8 Toward I 294 North: Wisconsin Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto I 294

21 mi · 25 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit onto I 294

321 ft · 7 sec · Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31 Toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 294

0.8 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
Exit 31 Toward I 290 West, I 294 North: Rockford, Milwaukee
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 290 West: Rockford
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward Saint Charles Road West
12

Merge onto I 290

13 mi · 17 min · I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53

8.9 mi · 11 min · IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on Lake Cook Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lake Cook Road
Use the left lane.
15

Continue on US 12

14 mi · 18 min · North Rand Road
Use the right lane.
16

Continue on US 12; IL 59

1.9 mi · 2 min · US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
17

Continue on US 12; IL 59

4.1 mi · 4 min · US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
18

Continue on this road

58 ft · 6 sec · this road
19

Turn left

67 ft · 4 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.4 miles from Calumet City, IL, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.9 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 76.8 miles or 1h 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 38.4 miles or 55m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fox Lake, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Calumet City, 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 Calumet City, IL

This is one driving day of about 76.8 miles and 1h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Calumet City, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 22.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 38.4 mi from Calumet City, IL · 55m into the drive

Downtown Des Plaines, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Des Plaines, IL

38 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.

Popular next leg

Des Plaines, IL to Fox Lake, IL

32.3 mi · 46m

Pacing Suggestions

Palatine, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 76.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Des Plaines, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.4 miles from Calumet City, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Fox Lake, IL

The final approach into Fox Lake, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Fox Lake, IL.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 5.3
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.67 one way

$23.33 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $12.86 $25.72
premium $4.80 $14.50 $29.00
diesel $5.64 $17.06 $34.12

Estimated Tolls: $1.37

Tri-state Tollway (22.9 mi) $1.37

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23 0 $8.06 $3.69
Efficient EV 19.2 0 $6.72 $3.07
EV Truck/SUV 30.7 0 $10.75 $4.92

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Calumet City, IL

Afternoon in Calumet City on Monday

Local time

2:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fox Lake, IL

Afternoon in Fox Lake on Monday

Local time

2:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

2 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 45m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Calumet City, IL to Fox Lake, IL covers 76.8 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, North Rand Road, I 290. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.4 miles from Calumet City, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.67 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 76.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 30.2 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.4 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Calumet City, IL and Fox Lake, IL, road signs point toward Milwaukee, Chicago and Saint Charles Road West.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Fox Lake, IL to Calumet City, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

75.7 mi 1h 46m

Continue From Fox Lake, IL

Bremen, IL 366 mi · 6h 6m York, IL 279.9 mi · 6h 1m Springfield, IL 230.3 mi · 3h 48m Decatur, IL 211.7 mi · 4h 14m

More from Calumet City, IL

Bremen, IL 335 mi · 6h 28m Crestwood, IL 319.4 mi · 5h 59m Galesburg, IL 192.1 mi · 3h 38m Decatur, IL 168.3 mi · 3h 13m Bloomington, IL 128.9 mi · 2h 37m Champaign, IL 123.5 mi · 2h 24m

More trips to Fox Lake, IL

Bremen, IL 376.7 mi Springfield, IL 230.5 mi Decatur, IL 212.9 mi Peoria, IL 196.6 mi Champaign, IL 182.5 mi Bloomington, IL 163.8 mi

Explore more options from Calumet City, IL or browse trips ending in Fox Lake, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Explore maps for Calumet City, IL or Fox Lake, IL on MapSof.net.