Origin
Darien, IL
Afternoon in Darien on Thursday
Local time
12:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Darien, IL to Chicago, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
32m
Distance
20.9 mi
34 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 30m
★
6 AM
0h 33m
8 AM
0h 38m
10 AM
0h 35m
12 PM
0h 34m
3 PM
0h 35m
5 PM
0h 38m
8 PM
0h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Darien, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Darien to Chicago, you are looking at a straightforward 20.9-mile trip that typically takes about 32 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, as the proximity of the two Midwest locations means you won't need an overnight stay. You can expect a very budget-friendly transit, with fuel costs estimated at just $3. Because the route is short and focused on efficiency, it is an ideal option for commuters or those heading into the city for a brief visit. You will navigate primarily through Illinois, transitioning quickly from the suburban environment of Darien into the heart of Chicago.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 32m. Total distance: 20.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 72% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will rely on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway and the Stevenson Expressway to make your way toward the city, supplemented by 75th Street. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience, highlighted by an 11.5-mile stretch on the Adlai Stevenson Expressway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your drive. While the transition from local roads to the interstate is swift, the character of the road remains utilitarian rather than scenic. Anticipate a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and direct access over leisurely travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 11.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Stevenson Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 20.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 32m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2.9 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge onto I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
18.1 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
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 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
8
18.2 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Damen Avenue
9
18.5 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Expressway | 11.5 mi | 15m |
| Stevenson Expressway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| 75th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Kingery Highway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Damen Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Blue Island Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Cass Avenue | <0.1 mi | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
— 11.5 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Darien, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on Cass Avenue
16 ft
·
0 sec
·
Cass Avenue
2
Turn left onto 75th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
75th Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto IL 83
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Kingery Highway
Use the right lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
6
Merge onto I 55
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Damen Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Use the left lane.
11
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Damen Avenue
12
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Blue Island Avenue
13
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cermak Road
14
Turn right
152 ft
·
11 sec
15
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.27 one way
$6.53 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $3.59 | $7.18 |
| premium | $4.89 | $4.02 | $8.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.61 | $9.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.3 | 0 | $2.19 | $1.00 |
| Efficient EV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.83 | $0.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.93 | $1.34 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Afternoon in Chicago on Thursday
Local time
12:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph
75% chance
Live forecast
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
6 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
32m 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 Darien, IL to Chicago, IL covers 20.9 miles and takes about 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Stevenson Expressway, 75th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.5 miles from Darien, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.27 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 short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 20.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 32m.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2.9 miles (I 55 / Adlai Stevenson Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Darien, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
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