Origin
Chicago, IL
Evening in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
5:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chicago, IL to New Lenox, IL
Drive Time
55m
Distance
40 mi
64 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 51m
★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 58m
12 PM
0h 57m
3 PM
0h 59m
5 PM
1h 4m
8 PM
0h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
New Lenox, IL
Choco Kitty
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Chicago to New Lenox, you are looking at a straightforward 40-mile journey that typically takes about 55 minutes. This Midwest transit relies heavily on major thoroughfares, specifically I-80, I-57, and the Dan Ryan Expressway. Given the short distance, this is easily manageable as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend roughly $6 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. Whether you are heading out for work or visiting friends, the route is designed for efficiency rather than leisure. It is a practical connection between the urban heart of Illinois and the surrounding suburban landscape.
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 miles from Chicago, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of your time spent cruising on major expressways. You will experience a fast-paced environment as you navigate the metropolitan traffic patterns leading out of the city. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 13.8-mile run along I-80, which allows for consistent highway speeds. Because the road is almost entirely comprised of interstate travel, you should prepare for a utilitarian, high-speed experience. The transition from the dense urban grid to the outer interstate arteries happens quickly, keeping the driving style uniform from start to finish.
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.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 13.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 57. 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
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 40 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 0.7 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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.
9
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
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
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90, I 94 East: Indiana
8
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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
Use the none lane.
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
8
10.4 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 57
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57 toward I 57 South: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
7
23.8 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Iowa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 345B
Toward I 80 West: Iowa
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 13.8 mi | 16m |
| I 57 | 13.4 mi | 18m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| West Maple Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Halsted Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Church Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 13.8 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and New Lenox, 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
285 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
Use the none lane.
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 left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 90, I 94 East: Indiana
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 90; I 94
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
13 mi
·
18 min
·
I 57
Exit 63
Toward I 57 South: Memphis
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 345B
Toward I 80 West: Iowa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 80
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 80
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 137
Toward US 30: Maple Street
Use the right lane.
14
Turn right onto US 30
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
West Maple Street
Use the right lane.
15
Turn right onto Church Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Church Street
16
Turn right
160 ft
·
11 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 55-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because the route relies on high-traffic expressways like the Dan Ryan, checking real-time congestion levels before you leave is a smart move. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the short duration makes it easy to complete in one go. Keep your $6 fuel budget in mind, but remember that city traffic can impact your actual consumption. A specific tip for this route: since you are spending the vast majority of your time on highways, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained speeds rather than stop-and-go city driving.
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 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.8 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 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Lenox, 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 miles and 55m.
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 I 80 for about 13.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20 mi from Chicago, IL · 28m 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 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in New Lenox, IL
The final approach into New Lenox, 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 New Lenox, 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
$6.08 one way
$12.15 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.70 | $13.40 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.55 | $15.10 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.89 | $17.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14 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 | 0 | $4.20 | $1.92 |
| Efficient EV | 10 | 0 | $3.50 | $1.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16 | 0 | $5.60 | $2.56 |
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
New Lenox, IL
Evening in New Lenox on Sunday
Local time
5:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
54°F
Lansing, IL
20 mi in
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
1 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
55m 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 New Lenox, IL covers 40 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 57, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). 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 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 $6.08 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 14 significant decision points across 40 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 0.7 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.
The route from Chicago, IL to New Lenox, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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