The drive from Chicago, IL to Lakewood, IL covers 54.3 miles and takes about 1h 22m 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, Randall Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 24.7 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.49 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 22m. Total distance: 54.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 22m drive with frequent turns across 54.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 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 24.7 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 0.4 miles in near South Halsted Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 54.3 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 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 21 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
7
42.8 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward Randall Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52
Toward Randall Road
8
43.1 mi into trip|~59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Crystal Lake, Gilberts, Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Crystal Lake, Gilberts, Airport
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chicago, IL and Lakewood, IL, road signs point toward Crystal Lake, Gilberts and Airport.
Crystal Lake
43.1 mi in|~59m
Gilberts
43.1 mi in|~59m
Airport
43.1 mi in|~59m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
24.7 mi
26m
Kennedy Expressway
7.9 mi
11m
Randall Road
6.5 mi
10m
West Higgins Road
3.1 mi
5m
North Randall Road
2.2 mi
3m
West Bryn Mawr Avenue
1.8 mi
4m
McHenry Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
North Milwaukee Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
— 24.7 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Lakewood, 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 43CToward Montrose AvenueUse 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
25 mi·26 min·Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 52Toward Randall RoadUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
254 ft·6 sec
Toward Crystal Lake, Gilberts, AirportUse the right lane.
20
Turn straight onto CR 34
6.5 mi·10 min·Randall Road
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on V29
2.2 mi·3 min·North Randall Road
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto McHenry Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·McHenry Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto Nash Road
285 ft·12 sec·Nash Road
24
Continue on Nash Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Nash Road
25
Turn left onto Golf Road
0.2 mi·58 sec·Golf Road
26
At end of road, turn right onto Country Club Road
0.1 mi·29 sec·Country Club Road
27
Turn left onto Broadway Avenue
0.5 mi·2 min·Broadway Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Broadway Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.1 mi from Chicago, IL
· 42m into the drive
The midpoint is around 27.1 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lakewood, IL
The final approach into Lakewood, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.49 one way
$16.98 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg19 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$9.32
$18.64
premium
$4.89
$10.45
$20.90
diesel
$5.61
$11.99
$23.98
Estimated Tolls: $1.73
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(24.7 mi)$1.73
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$2
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 19 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
16.3
0
$5.70
$2.61
Efficient EV
13.6
0
$4.75
$2.17
EV Truck/SUV
21.7
0
$7.60
$3.48
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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 17, 2026
Origin
Chicago, IL
Afternoon
in Chicago on Friday
Local time
3:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 10 to 20 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:05AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 11:05AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Destination
Lakewood, IL
Afternoon
in Lakewood on Friday
Local time
3:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
11 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 22m 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 Lakewood, IL covers 54.3 miles and takes about 1h 22m 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, Randall Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.1 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 $8.49 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 54.3 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.
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.
Between Chicago, IL and Lakewood, IL, road signs point toward Crystal Lake, Gilberts and Airport.
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.
