Origin
Chicago, IL
Night in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
9:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chicago, IL to Mundelein, IL
Drive Time
57m
Distance
40.3 mi
65 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 53m
★
6 AM
0h 57m
8 AM
1h 7m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 1m
5 PM
1h 6m
8 PM
0h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Mundelein, IL
Mike Tyurin
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Chicago to Mundelein, you are looking at a straightforward 40.3-mile journey that typically takes about 57 minutes. Because this is a short trip within the Midwest, it is perfectly suited for a quick day trip rather than an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $6 on fuel for the entire drive, making it a very budget-friendly excursion. The route is heavily highway-focused, utilizing a combination of the Kennedy Expressway, the Edens Expressway, and the Edens Spur. It serves as an efficient connection between the city and the northern suburbs, so you won't need to worry about complex logistics or multi-day planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
20.2 miles from Chicago, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is defined by its efficiency, with 66% of the travel taking place on major highways. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating high-speed lanes, including a significant 13.5-mile uninterrupted stretch along the Edens Expressway. While the route feels like a standard interstate grind, the transition from the dense urban corridor of Chicago to the suburban landscape of Mundelein happens steadily. Expect a consistent pace behind the wheel as you move through these interconnected expressways. It is a functional, no-nonsense route designed to get you to your destination quickly rather than offering a scenic, winding backroad experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Edens Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 13.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Edens Expressway and Kennedy Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Cermak Road.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 40.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Halsted Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (South Canalport Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Cermak Road
At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Canalport Avenue
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
23.7 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 94 / Edens Spur
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 / Edens Spur toward I 94 West: Milwaukee
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee
7
31.6 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward IL 22: Half Day Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 21
Toward IL 22: Half Day Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Edens Expressway | 13.5 mi | 17m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| Edens Spur | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| East US Highway 45 | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| South Lake Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Half Day Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Edens Expressway
— 13.5 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Mundelein, 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
Use the none lane.
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
Use the none lane.
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 none lane.
8
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 94
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Edens Spur
Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 94
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 21
Toward IL 22: Half Day Road
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto IL 22
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Half Day Road
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Olde Half Day Road
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
Olde Half Day Road
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on US 45
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East US Highway 45
Use the none lane.
16
Turn right onto US 45
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Lake Street
Use the none lane.
17
Arrive at destination
US 45
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 57-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should keep an eye on typical expressway traffic patterns to avoid peak congestion. Because there are no mandatory stops required for a route this short, you can easily make the drive in one go without needing to plan for rest breaks. Keep your $6 fuel budget in mind, but otherwise, the simplicity of the route allows for a stress-free departure whenever you are ready. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between the Kennedy, Edens, and the Edens Spur before you head out, as these interchanges are the most critical navigation points on your 40.3-mile path.
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 20.2 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.5 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 40.3 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.2 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mundelein, 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.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chicago, IL
This is one driving day of about 40.3 miles and 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chicago, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Edens Expressway for about 13.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.2 mi from Chicago, IL · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 40.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.2 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Mundelein, IL
The final approach into Mundelein, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Mundelein, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.12 one way
$12.24 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.75 | $13.50 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.61 | $15.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.95 | $17.91 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.15
Tri-state Tollway
(2.6 mi)
$0.15
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
$6
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.1 | 0 | $4.23 | $1.93 |
| Efficient EV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.53 | $1.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.64 | $2.58 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Destination
Mundelein, IL
Night in Mundelein on Sunday
Local time
9:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
4 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
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 Chicago, IL to Mundelein, IL covers 40.3 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Edens Expressway, Kennedy Expressway, Edens Spur. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.2 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 $6.12 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 demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 40.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Halsted Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (South Canalport Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Chicago, IL to Mundelein, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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