Origin
Downers Grove, IL
Afternoon in Downers Grove on Sunday
Local time
3:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Downers Grove, IL to Chicago, IL
Drive Time
35m
Distance
23.6 mi
38 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 33m
★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Downers Grove, IL
Ali Soheil
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Downers Grove to Chicago, this 23.6-mile trip is a quick transition within the Midwest. You can expect to spend about 35 minutes on the road, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day journey. With a fuel budget of just $4, it is an incredibly economical route that requires no overnight stops. Because the distance is short, you have total flexibility in your schedule, whether you are commuting or heading into the city for an afternoon. You will navigate through a mix of local streets and major expressways, moving from the suburban landscape of Illinois into the heart of the region's largest urban center.
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
11.8 miles from Downers Grove, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition from Highland Avenue onto the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway and eventually the Eisenhower Expressway. Roughly 59% of your journey is spent on highways, providing a blend of suburban surface streets and high-speed transit. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 13.2-mile run along the Eisenhower Expressway, where you can settle into a steady pace. As you progress toward Chicago, the road character shifts from the more open suburban connectors to the denser, high-traffic environment of the city’s major arteries. It is a straightforward, functional drive that prioritizes efficiency over scenic diversions.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Eisenhower Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 13.2 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 1.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 23.6 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 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
6
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
21.6 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
7
22.5 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward 18th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
6
23.2 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
West Cermak Road
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Eisenhower Expressway | 13.2 mi | 18m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Highland Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Union Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Halsted Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Eisenhower Expressway
— 13.2 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Downers Grove, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on Main Street
37 ft
·
30 sec
·
Main Street
2
Continue on Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on Highland Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Highland Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Eisenhower Expressway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
Use the none lane.
10
Merge onto I 90; I 94
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Union Avenue
13
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
14
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
15
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
17
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 35-minute drive, you do not need to worry about planning for rest stops or long-distance fatigue. However, keep in mind that the Eisenhower Expressway is a major artery, so timing your departure to avoid peak commuter hours will make the trip much smoother. You should ensure your vehicle has enough fuel to cover the $4 estimated cost before you leave, as you will not need to make any stops along the way. Take advantage of the route's flexibility by checking real-time traffic conditions on the Eisenhower Expressway before you pull out of Downers Grove. Being proactive about your departure time is the best way to ensure your arrival in Chicago is stress-free.
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 11.8 miles from Downers Grove, IL, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.2 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 23.6 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.8 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 28m
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 Downers Grove, 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 Downers Grove, IL
This is one driving day of about 23.6 miles and 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Downers Grove, 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 Eisenhower Expressway for about 13.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.8 mi from Downers Grove, IL · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 23.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.8 miles from Downers Grove, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Chicago, 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
$3.58 one way
$7.17 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $3.95 | $7.90 |
| premium | $4.80 | $4.46 | $8.91 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.24 | $10.49 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.38
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(6.4 mi)
$0.38
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
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.48 | $1.13 |
| Efficient EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.07 | $0.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.30 | $1.51 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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 Sunday
Local time
3:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
1 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
35m 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 Downers Grove, IL to Chicago, IL covers 23.6 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Eisenhower Expressway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Highland Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.8 miles from Downers Grove, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.58 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 demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 23.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Downers Grove, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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