Trip from Chicago, IL to Round Lake, IL

Drive Time

1h 9m

Distance

49 mi

79 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min

4 AM

1h 4m ★

6 AM

1h 10m

8 AM

1h 21m

10 AM

1h 13m

12 PM

1h 12m

3 PM

1h 14m

5 PM

1h 20m

8 PM

1h 6m

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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Chicago, IL

Otoniel Alvarado

Round Lake, IL

Sean Ewing

Trip Overview

If you are planning to head from Chicago to Round Lake, you are looking at a straightforward 49-mile journey across the Illinois Midwest. Expect the drive to take roughly 1 hour and 9 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a simple day trip. You will navigate primarily through local streets like West Cermak Road, South Halsted Street, and South Canalport Avenue rather than relying on major interstates. Budgeting approximately $7 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire distance. Since this route is quite short, there is no need to split it into an overnight stay, allowing you the flexibility to complete the trip on your own schedule.

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

24.5 miles from Chicago, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .

Drive Character

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route features zero percent highway travel, meaning you will be navigating city and suburban streets for the full 49 miles. Because the path relies on local roads rather than high-speed thoroughfares, your pace will be dictated by traffic lights and turns rather than cruising at highway speeds. There are no long, uninterrupted stretches on this itinerary, so expect a driving experience that requires your constant attention. It is a practical, utilitarian route that moves you through the Midwest landscape without the typical drone of a long-distance highway trip.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 23 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 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 0.2 miles in near West Cermak Road.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 49 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 points

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

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.

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

Turn left onto South Halsted Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | South Canalport Avenue

Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | South Ruble Street

Turn left onto South Ruble Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

23.7 mi into trip | ~33m in | US 41 / Skokie Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 41 / Skokie Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Edens Expressway	13.5 mi	17m
Kennedy Expressway	8.2 mi	11m
South Skokie Highway	5.6 mi	7m
Buckley Road	4.4 mi	7m
Skokie Highway	3.8 mi	4m
Skokie Valley Road	3.4 mi	3m
Antioch Road	2.7 mi	4m
East Belvidere Road	2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Edens Expressway — 13.5 mi, about 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Round Lake, IL.

Start on this road

0.2 mi · 1 min · this road

At end of road, turn right onto West Cermak Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Cermak Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto South Halsted Street

0.1 mi · 17 sec · South Halsted Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue

0.2 mi · 22 sec · South Canalport Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto South Ruble Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · South Ruble Street

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward I 90 West, I 94 West

Merge onto I 90; I 94

0.9 mi · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.2 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 94

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

Toward I 94 West: Milwaukee Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 41

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 41

5.6 mi · 7 min · South Skokie Highway

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto IL 137

4.4 mi · 7 min · Buckley Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on IL 137

1.6 mi · 2 min · Peterson Road

Use the left / none lanes.

Continue on IL 137

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Old Peterson Road

Continue on IL 137

2.7 mi · 4 min · Antioch Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on IL 83

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Ivanhoe Road

Turn left onto IL 120

2.0 mi · 3 min · East Belvidere Road

Use the left lane.

Turn straight

0.1 mi · 13 sec

Turn straight onto IL 134

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto Nippersink Avenue

422 ft · 14 sec · Nippersink Avenue

Turn right onto North Cedar Lake Road

236 ft · 6 sec · North Cedar Lake Road

Arrive at destination

North Cedar Lake Road

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because you are relying on local roads like South Halsted Street and West Cermak Road, keep in mind that traffic density can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of day. With no planned stops required for this 1 hour and 9 minute drive, you can easily complete the journey in one go without needing a formal rest break. A handy tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the turn-heavy layout before you leave, as the lack of highway signage means you will be relying on local navigation throughout the entire 49-mile trip. Keep your $7 fuel budget handy for a quick top-off before you head out to ensure a seamless arrival in Round Lake.

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 24.5 miles from Chicago, IL, or about 34m 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 49 miles or 1h 9m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 24.5 miles or 34m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 57m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Round Lake, 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 49 miles and 1h 9m.

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 24.5 mi from Chicago, IL · 34m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Northbrook, IL

25 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

Mundelein, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Northbrook, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 24.5 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Round Lake, IL

The final approach into Round Lake, 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 Round Lake, 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

$7.44 one way

$14.89 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 17 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$8.20	$16.41
premium	$4.80	$9.25	$18.50
diesel	$5.64	$10.89	$21.77

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 17.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	14.7	$5.15	$2.35
Efficient EV	12.3	$4.29	$1.96
EV Truck/SUV	19.6	$6.86	$3.14

Gas CO2

17 kg

EV CO2

6 kg (65% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Chicago, IL

Evening in Chicago on Sunday

Local time

6:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Round Lake, IL

Evening in Round Lake on Sunday

Local time

6:44 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

3 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

1h 9m 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 Round Lake, IL covers 49 miles and takes about 1h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Edens Expressway, Kennedy Expressway, South Skokie Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 24.5 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 $7.44 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.