Trip from Chatham, IL to Crystal Lake, IL

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

1h 31m

Distance

60 mi

97 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min

4 AM

1h 25m ★

6 AM

1h 31m

8 AM

1h 45m

10 AM

1h 36m

12 PM

1h 35m

3 PM

1h 37m

5 PM

1h 45m

8 PM

1h 27m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Chatham, IL

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Crystal Lake, IL

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Trip Overview

The drive from Chatham, IL to Crystal Lake, IL covers 60 miles and takes about 1h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Kennedy Expressway, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 17 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.38 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.

Midpoint

30 miles from Chatham, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 60 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 31m drive with frequent turns across 60 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 17 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 60 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2.5 miles (I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

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

1.1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 94 West

2.5 mi into trip | ~5m 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. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...

18.4 mi into trip | ~28m in

Take the exit toward Montrose Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 43C Toward Montrose Avenue

43.5 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in

Take the exit toward IL 59

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 59 Toward IL 59

47.2 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in | IL 62; IL 68 / Dundee Road

Turn sharp left onto IL 62; IL 68 / Dundee Road

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway	17 mi	18m
Kennedy Expressway	7.9 mi	11m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)	7.9 mi	11m
Algonquin Road	7.8 mi	13m
New Sutton Road	3.3 mi	5m
West Higgins Road	3.1 mi	5m
Pyott Road	3 mi	5m
West Bryn Mawr Avenue	1.8 mi	4m

Longest stretch: Jane Addams Memorial Tollway — 17 mi, about 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chatham, IL and Crystal Lake, IL.

Start on this road

315 ft · 28 sec · this road

Turn left onto East 84th Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · East 84th Street

Turn right onto South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive

0.1 mi · 25 sec · South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive

Turn left onto East 83rd Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East 83rd Street

Turn right onto South State Street

109 ft · 2 sec · South State Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 94 West

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Toward I 94 West

Merge onto I 94

1.3 mi · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 90; I 94

7.9 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 43C Toward Montrose Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Montrose Avenue

Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Milwaukee Avenue

Turn left onto North Northwest Highway

67 ft · 1 sec · North Northwest Highway

Continue on North Northwest Highway

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Northwest Highway

Turn slight left onto West Bryn Mawr Avenue

1.8 mi · 4 min · West Bryn Mawr Avenue

Use the left lane.

Continue on IL 72

3.1 mi · 5 min · West Higgins Road

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 90 Toll West

Merge onto I 90

17 mi · 18 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Exit 59 Toward IL 59 Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto IL 59

3.3 mi · 5 min · New Sutton Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn sharp left onto IL 62; IL 68

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Dundee Road

Use the left lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto IL 62

7.8 mi · 13 min · Algonquin Road

Turn right onto V32

3.0 mi · 5 min · Pyott Road

Use the right lane.

Continue on South Main Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Main Street

Turn left onto East Crystal Lake Avenue

25 ft · 0 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue

Arrive at destination

East Crystal Lake Avenue

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 30 miles from Chatham, IL, or about 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17 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 13 miles or 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 30 miles or 48m 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 15m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Chatham, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Chatham, IL

This is one driving day of about 60 miles and 1h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Chatham, IL.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway for about 17 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 30 mi from Chatham, IL · 48m into the drive

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Des Plaines, IL

30 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Chicago, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Des Plaines, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 30 miles from Chatham, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Crystal Lake, IL

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

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

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

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$9.38 one way

$18.76 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$10.30	$20.60
premium	$4.89	$11.55	$23.09
diesel	$5.61	$13.25	$26.49

Estimated Tolls: $1.19

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (17 mi) $1.19

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

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 21 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	18	$6.30	$2.88
Efficient EV	15	$5.25	$2.40
EV Truck/SUV	24	$8.40	$3.84

Gas CO2

21 kg

EV CO2

7 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 as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Chatham, IL

Late night in Chatham on Friday

Local time

12:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Crystal Lake, IL

Late night in Crystal Lake on Friday

Local time

12:16 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°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 cooler at arrival

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

Road read

1h 31m 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 Chatham, IL to Crystal Lake, IL covers 60 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Kennedy Expressway, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 30 miles from Chatham, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.38 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.

The route from Chatham, IL to Crystal Lake, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.

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Return Trip

Crystal Lake, IL to Chatham, IL

Plan the drive back the other way.

58.1 mi 1h 30m

Explore more options from Chatham, IL or browse trips ending in Crystal Lake, IL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.

Trip from Chatham, IL to Crystal Lake, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Crystal Lake, IL

National Parks Near This Route

Pullman National Historical Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Chatham, IL

Crystal Lake, IL

Same local time

2 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 31m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

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