Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
33m
Distance
22.1 mi
36 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Calumet City, IL
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 22.1-mile drive from Chicago to Calumet City, Illinois, is a quick trip estimated to take around 33 minutes. It's perfectly suited as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. With a modest fuel cost of approximately $3, this route is designed for efficiency. You'll predominantly be on major expressways, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B within the Midwest region. This journey is all about direct travel through urban and suburban landscapes.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 33m. Total distance: 22.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 22.1-mile journey, as 82% of the route utilizes major freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 8.8 miles on the Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). You'll navigate primarily via the Dan Ryan Expressway (Express), Bishop Ford Freeway, and Sibley Boulevard. This profile suggests a drive characterized by consistent speed and efficient travel, with minimal deviations onto slower local roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) and Bishop Ford Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near South Halsted Street.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 22.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 33m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (South Halsted Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90, I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway toward I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward IL 83 South: East Sibley Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| Bishop Ford Freeway | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| Sibley Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Wentworth Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Halsted Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Canalport Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Calumet City, IL.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
Turn slight right
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Sibley Boulevard
Turn right onto Wentworth Avenue
Turn left onto Pulaski Road
Arrive at destination
Regular Gas
$3.46 one way
$6.91 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $3.79 | $7.59 |
| premium | $4.89 | $4.25 | $8.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.88 | $9.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.32 | $1.06 |
| Efficient EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.93 | $0.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.09 | $1.41 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Chicago on Thursday
Local time
11:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Areas Of Fog
Destination
Night in Calumet City on Thursday
Local time
11:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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