Origin
Elmwood Park, IL
Night in Elmwood Park on Sunday
Local time
9:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elmwood Park, IL to Chicago, IL
Drive Time
24m
Distance
12.7 mi
20 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 22m
★
6 AM
0h 24m
8 AM
0h 28m
10 AM
0h 26m
12 PM
0h 25m
3 PM
0h 26m
5 PM
0h 28m
8 PM
0h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elmwood Park, IL
Willian Justen de Vasconcellos
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
Traveling the 12.7 miles from Elmwood Park to Chicago is a quick, straightforward journey that typically takes about 24 minutes. Because the distance is so short, you certainly don't need an overnight stay, making this an ideal one-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of just $2, it is an incredibly budget-friendly trip to navigate within the Midwest. Your route will primarily utilize West Grand Avenue, West North Avenue, and the Kennedy Expressway to reach your destination. Whether you are heading into the city for business or leisure, this trip serves as a practical connection between suburban life and the urban core.
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
6.3 miles from Elmwood Park, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Only 28% of this 12.7-mile trek takes place on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating surface streets. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 4 miles you spend on West Grand Avenue. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, the drive feels less like a monotonous interstate grind and more like a transition through the changing density of the Chicago area. Be prepared for frequent turns as you weave through the local infrastructure.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Grand Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Belden Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 12.7 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: near the start (West Belden Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (West Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (West Grand Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Belden Avenue
Turn right onto West Belden Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Grand Avenue
Turn right onto West Grand Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
West Grand Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto West Grand Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
11.6 mi into trip
|
~21m 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
12.3 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
West Cermak Road
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Grand Avenue | 4 mi | 7m |
| West North Avenue | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Union Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Halsted Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North 73rd Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
West Grand Avenue
— 4 mi, about 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmwood Park, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on this road
186 ft
·
15 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto West Belden Avenue
175 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Belden Avenue
3
Turn left onto North 73rd Avenue
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
North 73rd Avenue
4
Turn left onto West Fullerton Avenue
143 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Fullerton Avenue
5
Turn right onto 73rd Avenue
361 ft
·
14 sec
·
73rd Avenue
6
Turn right onto West Grand Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Grand Avenue
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto West Grand Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Grand Avenue
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on West Grand Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Grand Avenue
Use the none lane.
9
Turn slight left onto IL 64
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
West North Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto North Greenview Avenue
186 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Greenview Avenue
11
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East
12
Merge onto I 90; I 94
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 90; I 94
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Union Avenue
16
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
17
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
18
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
19
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
20
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the entire trip lasts under half an hour, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any stops along the way, as the short duration makes a direct drive the most efficient option. Given the high percentage of surface road travel, keep a close eye on local traffic patterns, especially when transitioning onto the Kennedy Expressway. A smart tip for this specific route is to keep your navigation app active, as the frequent turns through local streets can be tricky if you are not familiar with the area. With fuel costs as low as $2, you can easily account for your travel budget without worry.
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 6.3 miles from Elmwood Park, IL, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4 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 12.7 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.3 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 19m
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 Elmwood Park, 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 Elmwood Park, IL
This is one driving day of about 12.7 miles and 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elmwood Park, 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 West Grand Avenue for about 4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.3 mi from Elmwood Park, IL · 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 12.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.3 miles from Elmwood Park, 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
$1.93 one way
$3.86 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.13 | $4.25 |
| premium | $4.80 | $2.40 | $4.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.82 | $5.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.33 | $0.61 |
| Efficient EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.11 | $0.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.78 | $0.81 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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 Sunday
Local time
9:16 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
6 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
24m 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 Elmwood Park, IL to Chicago, IL covers 12.7 miles and takes about 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Grand Avenue, West North Avenue, Kennedy Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.3 miles from Elmwood Park, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.93 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 16 significant decision points across 12.7 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: near the start (West Belden Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (West Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (West Grand Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Elmwood Park, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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