Chicago, IL to Fairmont, IL is 36.3 miles and takes about 57 minutes via Adlai Stevenson Expressway, with a fuel budget near $6 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays entirely within the Midwest region, specifically Illinois, making it a straightforward local excursion. The drive offers a mixed experience, largely utilizing major expressways and tollways. Given its brevity, it's ideal for a quick transition between these two points without requiring an overnight stay.
Chicago is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. "Stormy, Husky, Brawling / City of Big Shoulders," Chicago is a Heartland boomtown, its ethos defined by urban planner Daniel Burnham's immortal vision: "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." It is one of the world's great cities and the third largest city in the United States, behind only New York City and Los Angeles.
As the hub of the Midwest, Chicago is easy to find — its picturesque skyline calls across the waters of Lake Michigan, a first impression that soon reveals world-class museums of art and science, miles of sandy beaches, huge parks and public art, and perhaps the finest downtown collection of modern architecture in the world.
Doable as a same-day drive at 57m. Total distance: 36.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route features a mixed drive profile, with 60% of it being on highways. You'll primarily be on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Stevenson Expressway, and Veterans Memorial Tollway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 15.9 miles on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, offering a continuous segment of faster travel. Expect a blend of typical expressway driving with some sections that might feel more like local artery connections as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 15.9 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 0.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 16 decision points packed into just 36.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 57m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive
8
1 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 55 South: St Louis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 53B
Toward I 55 South: St Louis
8
23.4 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward I 355 South Toll, I 355 North Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
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 269
Toward I 355 South Toll, I 355 North Toll: Nort...
7
23.7 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 355 Tollway South: Southwest Suburbs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 355 Tollway South: Southwest Suburbs
8
28.9 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward IL 171: Archer Avenue, 143rd Street
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 7
Toward IL 171: Archer Avenue, 143rd Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Chicago, IL to Fairmont, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Southwest Suburbs along the way.
Southwest Suburbs
23.4 mi in|~33m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
15.9 mi
21m
Stevenson Expressway
5.6 mi
7m
Veterans Memorial Tollway
4 mi
4m
North State Street
3.8 mi
8m
South Archer Avenue
2.3 mi
3m
West Oak Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
0.3 mi
<1m
Barry Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 15.9 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Fairmont, IL.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi·1 min·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Cermak Road
3
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·South Halsted Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
285 ft·5 sec·South Canalport Avenue
5
Turn slight right
110 ft·4 sec
6
Take the ramp
455 ft·11 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore DriveUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 53BToward I 55 South: St LouisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 55
5.6 mi·7 min·Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 55
0.3 mi·27 sec·Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
11
Continue on I 55
16 mi·21 min·Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 269Toward I 355 South Toll, I 355 North Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest SuburbsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 355 Tollway South: Southwest SuburbsUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 355
4.0 mi·4 min·Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 7Toward IL 171: Archer Avenue, 143rd StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on this road
450 ft·13 sec·this road
Exit 7Toward IL 171: Archer Avenue, 143rd Street
17
Turn right onto IL 171
2.3 mi·3 min·South Archer Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on IL 171
3.8 mi·8 min·North State Street
19
Turn left onto West Oak Avenue
0.3 mi·51 sec·West Oak Avenue
20
Turn right onto Green Garden Place
0.2 mi·48 sec·Green Garden Place
21
Turn left onto Barry Avenue
0.2 mi·52 sec·Barry Avenue
22
Continue on Arthur Avenue
0.1 mi·29 sec·Arthur Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Arthur Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.1 mi from Chicago, IL
· 26m into the drive
The midpoint is around 18.1 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fairmont, IL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Fairmont, IL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.68 one way
$11.35 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg13 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$6.23
$12.46
premium
$4.89
$6.99
$13.97
diesel
$5.61
$8.01
$16.03
Estimated Tolls: $0.28
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(4 mi)$0.28
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$0
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 69% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
10.9
0
$3.81
$1.74
Efficient EV
9.1
0
$3.18
$1.45
EV Truck/SUV
14.5
0
$5.08
$2.32
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Chicago, IL
Evening
in Chicago on Friday
Local time
7:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 10 to 15 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:33PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 16 at 12:29PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Fairmont, IL
Evening
in Fairmont on Friday
Local time
7:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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
57m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Chicago, IL to Fairmont, IL covers 36.3 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Stevenson Expressway, Veterans Memorial Tollway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.1 miles from Chicago, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.68 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 short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 36.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 57m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Chicago, IL to Fairmont, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Southwest Suburbs along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
