Trip from Fox Lake Hills, IL to Chicago, IL

Drive Time

1h 15m

Distance

54.1 mi

87 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min

4 AM

1h 10m ★

6 AM

1h 16m

8 AM

1h 28m

10 AM

1h 20m

12 PM

1h 19m

3 PM

1h 20m

5 PM

1h 27m

8 PM

1h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Fox Lake Hills, IL

Tom Fisk

Chicago, IL

Otoniel Alvarado

Trip Overview

If you are planning to head from Fox Lake Hills into downtown Chicago, expect a journey covering 56 miles. You should set aside about 1 hour and 19 minutes of your day for this transit, though local traffic patterns can impact that timeline. Since this is a straightforward, short-distance trip, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. Budget approximately $8 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest locations. This drive is best viewed as a functional connection rather than a scenic tour, so plan accordingly to ensure a smooth transition from the suburban pace of Fox Lake Hills to the heart of the city.

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

27 miles from Fox Lake Hills, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you make your way toward your destination. Because this route involves zero highway driving, you will be navigating through local intersections and changing road conditions for the entire 56-mile duration. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this path requires your full attention on the steering wheel as you maneuver through the local landscape. The character of the drive remains consistent from start to finish, reflecting the practical nature of traveling between these two points on local roads. Prepare for a slower-paced journey where the focus is on navigating turns rather than maintaining high-speed cruising.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Edens Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 13.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near IL 59 / Fox Lake Road.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 54.1 miles you will encounter 13 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 (IL 59 / Fox Lake Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (IL 132 / West Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | IL 59 / Fox Lake Road

At end of road, turn left onto IL 59 / Fox Lake Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | IL 132 / West Grand Avenue

Turn right onto IL 132 / West Grand Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

15.7 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward IL 137: Buckley Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 13 Toward IL 137: Buckley Road

53 mi into trip | ~1h 12m 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

53.7 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in | West Cermak Road

Turn right onto West Cermak Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Edens Expressway	13.7 mi	17m
West Grand Avenue	9.8 mi	15m
Kennedy Expressway	8.1 mi	11m
North Skokie Highway	5.6 mi	6m
Tri-State Tollway	4.6 mi	5m
Skokie Highway	3.8 mi	4m
Skokie Valley Road	3.4 mi	3m
Buckley Road	1.5 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Edens Expressway — 13.7 mi, about 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fox Lake Hills, IL and Chicago, IL.

Start on Bald Eagle Road

0.2 mi · 58 sec · Bald Eagle Road

At end of road, turn left onto IL 59

0.5 mi · 1 min · Fox Lake Road

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto IL 132

9.8 mi · 15 min · West Grand Avenue

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago Use the straight / right lanes.

Merge onto I 94

4.6 mi · 5 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Exit 13 Toward IL 137: Buckley Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto IL 137

1.5 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto US 41

5.6 mi · 6 min · North Skokie Highway

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 41

3.4 mi · 3 min · Skokie Valley Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 41

3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 94; US 41

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.1 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 90; I 94

0.9 mi · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Exit 52C Toward 18th Street Use the slight right lane.

Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue

0.2 mi · 30 sec · South Union Avenue

Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue

505 ft · 12 sec · South Canalport Avenue

Turn left onto South Halsted Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · South Halsted Street

Turn right onto West Cermak Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West Cermak Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left

152 ft · 11 sec

Turn right

0.2 mi · 58 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since your total drive time is just over an hour, you have plenty of flexibility when deciding when to hit the road. Aim to avoid peak commuting hours if you want to keep your travel time closer to the 1 hour and 19 minute estimate. Because this is a direct, turn-heavy route without designated stops, make sure you have everything you need before you leave Fox Lake Hills. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep a close eye on your GPS, as the lack of highway travel means you will be making frequent turns through local areas. By staying alert to these constant directional changes, you can navigate the route more efficiently.

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 27 miles from Fox Lake Hills, IL, or about 38m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.7 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 54.1 miles or 1h 15m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 27 miles or 38m 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 2m

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 Fox Lake Hills, 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 Fox Lake Hills, IL

This is one driving day of about 54.1 miles and 1h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fox Lake Hills, 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 Edens Expressway for about 13.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 27 mi from Fox Lake Hills, IL · 38m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Northbrook, IL

27 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.

Popular next leg

Northbrook, IL to Chicago, IL

26 mi · 38m

Pacing Suggestions

Oak Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Northbrook, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 27 miles from Fox Lake Hills, 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

$8.22 one way

$16.43 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 19 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$9.06	$18.12
premium	$4.80	$10.21	$20.43
diesel	$5.64	$12.02	$24.04

Estimated Tolls: $0.28

Tri-state Tollway (4.6 mi) $0.28

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

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$34–$59

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 18.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	16.2	$5.68	$2.60
Efficient EV	13.5	$4.73	$2.16
EV Truck/SUV	21.6	$7.57	$3.46

Gas CO2

19 kg

EV CO2

6 kg (68% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Fox Lake Hills, IL

Evening in Fox Lake Hills on Sunday

Local time

8:38 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chicago, IL

Evening in Chicago on Sunday

Local time

8:38 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

3 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 15m 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 Fox Lake Hills, IL to Chicago, IL covers 54.1 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Edens Expressway, West Grand Avenue, Kennedy Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 27 miles from Fox Lake Hills, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.22 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.

The route from Fox Lake Hills, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Fox Lake Hills, IL to Chicago, IL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Chicago, IL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Fox Lake Hills, IL

Chicago, IL

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 15m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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