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Drive Time
47m
Distance
28.4 mi
46 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Rolling Meadows, IL
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a trip from Chicago to Rolling Meadows, expect a straightforward 28.4-mile journey that typically takes about 47 minutes. This route is a quick, efficient transit perfect for a single-day excursion, as there is no need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Kennedy Expressway, the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, and West Higgins Road. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $4, this trip is highly economical for travelers moving within the Midwest. Because this is a short, mixed drive, you have the flexibility to plan your schedule around your own pace without worrying about long-haul fatigue.
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
14.2 miles from Chicago, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .
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Expect a varied driving experience that transitions from urban highway transit to suburban local roads. The route consists of 31% highway driving, characterized by a mix of fast-paced expressway stretches and slower surface streets. Your longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Kennedy Expressway, covering 7.9 miles of the total distance. As you move away from the city center, the driving environment shifts significantly, requiring you to remain alert as you transition between high-speed tollways and the final stretch on West Higgins Road. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that balances speed with the inevitable slowdowns of approaching the suburbs.
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 0.4 miles in near South Halsted Street.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 28.4 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 0.4 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto South Ruble Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Montrose Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Arlington Heights Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Expressway | 7.9 mi | 11m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 6 mi | 6m |
| West Higgins Road | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| West Bryn Mawr Avenue | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| West Algonquin Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Milwaukee Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Northwest Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Rolling Meadows, IL.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
Turn left onto South Ruble Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90; I 94
Continue on I 90; I 94
Take the exit
Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue
Turn left onto North Northwest Highway
Continue on North Northwest Highway
Turn slight left onto West Bryn Mawr Avenue
Continue on IL 72
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto North Arlington Heights Road
Turn left onto IL 62
Turn right onto South New Wilke Road
Continue on New Wilke Road
Keep slight right at fork onto South Wilke Road
Turn left onto Campbell Street
Turn right onto Bluebird Lane
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short, 47-minute trip, you have the luxury of choosing your departure time to avoid the heaviest peak-hour congestion on the Kennedy Expressway. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, allowing you to complete the 28.4-mile trek in one go. Keep in mind that the route relies heavily on tollway infrastructure, so ensure your electronic toll pass is ready before you head out. Because the drive is brief, use your flexibility to leave during off-peak hours to ensure a smoother transition onto the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. Staying focused during the 7.9-mile stretch on the Kennedy is your best strategy for a stress-free arrival in Rolling Meadows.
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.
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 28.4 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.2 miles or 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rolling Meadows, IL than in the middle of the route.
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 28.4 miles and 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.2 mi from Chicago, IL · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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.
A short stop after about 28.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 14.2 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Rolling Meadows, 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 Rolling Meadows, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$4.44 one way
$8.88 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $4.87 | $9.75 |
| premium | $4.89 | $5.47 | $10.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.27 | $12.54 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.42
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
$4
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.98 | $1.36 |
| Efficient EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.49 | $1.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.98 | $1.82 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Chicago on Wednesday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Rolling Meadows on Wednesday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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