Drive Time
1h 13m
Distance
58.4 mi
94 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
If you are looking for a quick getaway from Chicago to Kankakee, you can cover the 58.4-mile distance in about 1 hour and 13 minutes. This trip is designed as a straightforward one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Budgeting around $9 for fuel makes this an incredibly accessible trip for a weekend escape or a sudden change of scenery. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, you will remain in a familiar regional landscape throughout the journey. Because the route is so short, it serves as a highly practical option for travelers who prefer to spend their time at the destination rather than behind the wheel.
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
29.2 miles from Chicago, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 37m into the drive .
Expect a very efficient, highway-focused experience, as 96% of this drive takes place on major thoroughfares. You will start by navigating the Dan Ryan Expressway before transitioning onto I-57, which accounts for the vast majority of your travel time. The longest uninterrupted stretch lasts for 46.4 miles on I-57, providing a consistent pace for most of the trip. As you approach the end of your drive, you will exit the interstate to follow East Court Street into Kankakee. It is a utilitarian commute that prioritizes speed and predictability over winding backroads, keeping your focus steady on the road ahead.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near West Cermak Road.
Moderate — some attention needed at key points
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.4 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (West Cermak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Halsted Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Lane positioning matters here
Lane positioning matters here
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs — pick the right one
Highway fork — watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 46.4 mi | 54m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| East Court Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Halsted Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Canalport Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago, IL and Kankakee, 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 slight right
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 90; I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 57
Take the exit
Turn right
Turn straight onto IL 17
Arrive at destination
Because this route is quite short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak Chicago rush hour will make your exit from the city much smoother. Since the drive takes just over an hour, you likely won't need to plan for any formal stops, allowing you to head straight to your destination without interruption. Keep in mind that the heavy reliance on I-57 means your speed and progress will be dictated by interstate traffic flow. Given the compact nature of the trip, fill up your tank before you leave the city to take advantage of potentially lower urban fuel prices. Use this time-efficient transit to maximize your afternoon exploring Kankakee.
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 58.4 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.2 miles or 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kankakee, 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 58.4 miles and 1h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.2 mi from Chicago, IL · 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 58.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 29.2 miles from Chicago, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Kankakee, 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 Kankakee, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$8.67 one way
$17.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.78 | $19.56 |
| premium | $4.65 | $10.70 | $21.40 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $12.20 | $24.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.13 | $2.80 |
| Efficient EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.11 | $2.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.18 | $3.74 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Chicago on Saturday
Local time
4:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Kankakee on Saturday
Local time
4:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
54°F
Lansing, IL
29 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
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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