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Trip from Chicago, IL to Kingston, IL

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 35m

Distance

71.5 mi

115 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 28m ★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 41m
5 PM
1h 49m
8 PM
1h 31m

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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Downtown chicago-il

Chicago, IL

Otoniel Alvarado

Downtown Kingston, IL, IL

Kingston, IL

Stéphane Tendon

Trip Overview

The drive from Chicago, IL to Kingston, IL covers 71.5 miles and takes about 1h 35m 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, IL 23, Kennedy Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.7 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.18 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

35.7 miles from Chicago, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 71.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

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

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 35m drive with frequent turns across 71.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 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 40.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near South Halsted Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.5 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.4 miles (South Halsted Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (South Ruble Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

6
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | South Halsted Street

Turn left onto South Halsted Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | South Ruble Street

Turn left onto South Ruble Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
9.9 mi into trip | ~16m 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
8
58.7 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in

Take the exit toward IL 23: Marengo, Genoa

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 36 Toward IL 23: Marengo, Genoa
6
59.5 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in | IL 23

Enter roundabout onto IL 23

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

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 Kingston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Genoa along the way.

Genoa

58.7 mi in | ~1h 16m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway 40.7 mi 43m
IL 23 10 mi 14m
Kennedy Expressway 7.9 mi 11m
West Higgins Road 3.1 mi 5m
Illinois 72 2 mi 3m
West Bryn Mawr Avenue 1.8 mi 4m
North Milwaukee Avenue 1.1 mi 2m
North Northwest Highway 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Jane Addams Memorial Tollway — 40.7 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Kingston, 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

0.2 mi · 22 sec · South Canalport Avenue
5

Turn left onto South Ruble Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · South Ruble Street
Use the left lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 90 West, I 94 West
7

Merge onto I 90; I 94

0.9 mi · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 90; I 94

7.9 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 43C Toward Montrose Avenue Use the slight right lane.
10

Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Montrose Avenue
11

Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
12

Turn left onto North Northwest Highway

67 ft · 1 sec · North Northwest Highway
13

Continue on North Northwest Highway

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Northwest Highway
14

Turn slight left onto West Bryn Mawr Avenue

1.8 mi · 4 min · West Bryn Mawr Avenue
Use the left lane.
15

Continue on IL 72

3.1 mi · 5 min · West Higgins Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 90 Toll West
17

Merge onto I 90

41 mi · 43 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 36 Toward IL 23: Marengo, Genoa Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Enter roundabout onto IL 23

229 ft · 3 sec · South State Street
20

Continue on IL 23

0.3 mi · 22 sec · South State Street
21

Enter roundabout onto IL 23

140 ft · 2 sec · IL 23
22

Continue on IL 23

6.1 mi · 9 min · IL 23
23

Continue on IL 23; IL 72

3.8 mi · 5 min · IL 23; IL 72
24

Turn straight onto IL 72

2.0 mi · 3 min · Illinois 72
25

Turn left onto Main Street

69 ft · 3 sec · Main Street
26

Arrive at destination

Main Street

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 35.7 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.7 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 16 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 35.7 miles or 51m 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 19m

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

Before You Leave

+

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

Day 1

Settle into the route from Chicago, IL

This is one driving day of about 71.5 miles and 1h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Chicago, 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 40.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 35.7 mi from Chicago, IL · 51m into the drive

city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Des Plaines, IL

36 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

Franklin Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Schaumburg, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 35.7 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Kingston, IL

The final approach into Kingston, 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

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.18 one way

$22.36 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $12.27 $24.55
premium $4.89 $13.76 $27.52
diesel $5.61 $15.79 $31.57

Estimated Tolls: $2.85

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (40.7 mi) $2.85

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

$11

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 25 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.5 0 $7.51 $3.43
Efficient EV 17.9 0 $6.26 $2.86
EV Truck/SUV 28.6 0 $10.01 $4.58

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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 Thursday

Local time

8:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

W 10 to 15 mph 39% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:58AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 7:30AM CDT until April 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Destination

Kingston, IL

Evening in Kingston on Thursday

Local time

8:13 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

21 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 35m 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 Kingston, IL covers 71.5 miles and takes about 1h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, IL 23, Kennedy Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.7 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 $11.18 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.5 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (South Halsted Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (South Ruble Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Chicago, IL to Kingston, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Genoa along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.

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Plan the drive back the other way.

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