Origin
Clifton, IL
Night in Clifton on Wednesday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, IL to Chicago, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
73.4 mi
118 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
Traveling from Clifton to Chicago covers 73.6 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes, making it a straightforward day trip. You will navigate a mix of rural roads and major arteries, primarily utilizing East 2900 North Road, I-57 North, and the Dan Ryan Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of just $11, this is an affordable excursion that requires no overnight stay. Because both locations are situated within the Midwest, you can expect a familiar, consistent regional feel throughout the journey. It is a practical route for those needing to reach the city quickly without the burden of long-haul travel logistics.
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
36.7 miles from Clifton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring you to stay alert as you transition from smaller roads onto larger thoroughfares. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, the route demands more driver engagement as you navigate the initial stretches before merging into the heavier traffic flow of the Dan Ryan Expressway. While the highway share is 0% in terms of pure interstate cruising for the majority of the distance, the path feels purposeful and direct. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches of highway here, so prepare for a drive that shifts in pace as you move closer to your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
782 ft
578 ft
Total Climb
183 ft
Total Descent
262 ft
Highest Point
782 ft
~36.7 mi in
Elevation Range
204 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.5 miles in near East 2900 North Road.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.4 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 0.5 miles (East 2900 North Road): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 2900 North Road
Turn left onto East 2900 North Road
Navigation decision point
4
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I-57 North: Kankakee
Navigation decision point
Toward I-57 North: Kankakee
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
66.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...
8
72.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 53A
Toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 61.6 mi | 1h 11m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| East 2900 North Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Canalport Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Halsted Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 61.6 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Turn left onto East 2900 North Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2900 North Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I-57 North: Kankakee
4
Merge onto I 57
62 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 53A
Toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
243 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Ruble Street
9
Turn slight left
75 ft
·
4 sec
10
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
11
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
12
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
13
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
14
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is only 1 hour and 16 minutes, you have significant flexibility with your departure time, though avoiding peak congestion on the Dan Ryan Expressway is always a smart move. Plan to fuel up before you leave Clifton, as your $11 budget will cover the trip easily if you start with a full tank. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can complete the 73.6-mile trek in one go without needing a break for rest or refueling. Keep a close eye on your GPS when navigating the transition from East 2900 North Road to I-57, as the turn-heavy nature of the first leg requires careful attention to signage.
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 36.7 miles from Clifton, IL, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.6 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 16 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.7 miles or 43m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chicago, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clifton, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clifton, IL
This is one driving day of about 73.4 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Clifton, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 61.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.7 mi from Clifton, IL · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.7 miles from Clifton, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 57 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.6 miles.
Arriving in Chicago, IL
The final approach into Chicago, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.48 one way
$22.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.60 | $25.20 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.13 | $28.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.21 | $32.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22 | 0 | $7.71 | $3.52 |
| Efficient EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.42 | $2.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.28 | $4.70 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Chicago, IL
Night in Chicago on Wednesday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph
75% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:43PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:43PM CDT until April 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS St Louis MO
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
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 30m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clifton, IL to Chicago, IL covers 73.4 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express), Dan Ryan Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.7 miles from Clifton, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.48 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (East 2900 North Road): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Clifton, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 578 ft to 782 ft elevation with about 183 ft of total climbing.
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