Trip from Fox Lake, IL to Calumet City, IL

Drive Time

1h 46m

Distance

75.7 mi

122 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 38m ★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 42m

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

Downtown Fox Lake, IL, IL

Fox Lake, IL

John Baker

Downtown Calumet City, IL, IL

Calumet City, IL

Lorenc Memaga

Trip Overview

Connecting Fox Lake to Calumet City, this 75.7-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Illinois landscape. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 46 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $12, the drive is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. You will navigate a mix of local roads and major arteries like the Edens and Dan Ryan Expressways. Because the entire route remains within the Midwest, you won't experience major environmental shifts, though you will transition from the northern outskirts toward the southern metropolitan area. It is an efficient path that prioritizes speed and directness over leisure.

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

37.8 miles from Fox Lake, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 81% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself settling into a rhythm on the Edens Expressway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 13.7 miles. As you transition from IL 60 onto the Dan Ryan Expressway, the character of the drive shifts from suburban flow to a more intense urban pace. Expect a consistent, highway-focused experience that minimizes stop-and-go local traffic where possible. The road demands your full attention as you move through these major corridors, so prepare for a drive that prioritizes progress over scenery.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Edens Expressway and IL 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 12.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 75.7 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 (US 12): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.2 miles (I 94 / Edens Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.2 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 12

Turn left onto US 12

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
7
26.2 mi into trip | ~39m in | I 94 / Edens Spur

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Edens Spur toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
8
55.2 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in | I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express
7
64 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Bishop Ford Freeway toward I 94 East: Indiana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 94 East: Indiana
7
72.5 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Take the exit toward IL 83 South: East Sibley Boulevard

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

Use the right lane. Exit 71B Toward IL 83 South: East Sibley Boulevard

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Edens Expressway 13.7 mi 17m
IL 60 10.6 mi 17m
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) 8.8 mi 11m
Bishop Ford Freeway 8.5 mi 11m
Kennedy Expressway 8.1 mi 11m
US 12 5.3 mi 6m
Edens Spur 4.8 mi 5m
US 45 3.9 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Edens Expressway — 13.7 mi, about 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fox Lake, IL and Calumet City, IL.

1

Start on this road

67 ft · 5 sec · this road
2

Turn right

58 ft · 8 sec
3

Turn left onto US 12

4.1 mi · 4 min · US 12
Use the none lane.
4

Continue on US 12; IL 59

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 12; IL 59
Use the none lane.
5

Continue on US 12; IL 59

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 12; IL 59
Use the none lane.
6

Turn left onto IL 120

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Belvidere Road
Use the left lane.
7

Turn right onto IL 60

11 mi · 17 min · IL 60
Use the none lane.
8

Continue on US 45

3.9 mi · 6 min · US 45
Use the left / none lanes.
9

Continue on Olde Half Day Road

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Olde Half Day Road
Use the left / none lanes.
10

At end of road, turn left onto IL 22

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Half Day Road
Use the left / none lanes.
11

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Toward I 94 East Toll: Indiana
12

Merge onto I 94

2.9 mi · 3 min · Tri-State Tollway
Use the none lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

4.8 mi · 5 min · Edens Spur
Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago Use the slight left lane.
14

Continue on I 94; US 41

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.1 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
Use the none lane.
16

Continue on I 90; I 94

2.4 mi · 2 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the none lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; I 94

8.8 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express Use the none lane.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

8.5 mi · 11 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
Toward I 94 East: Indiana Use the slight left lane.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 71B Toward IL 83 South: East Sibley Boulevard Use the right lane.
20

Turn straight onto Sibley Boulevard

2.6 mi · 4 min · Sibley Boulevard
Use the none lane.
21

Turn right onto Wentworth Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Wentworth Avenue
22

Turn left onto Pulaski Road

114 ft · 3 sec · Pulaski Road
23

Arrive at destination

Pulaski Road

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short 1 hour and 46-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. Aim to depart outside of peak rush hours, as the reliance on the Dan Ryan Expressway means traffic density can fluctuate significantly throughout the day. Because there are no designated stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily complete the 75.7-mile distance without needing a formal break. Keep your $12 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and fill up before leaving Fox Lake to avoid higher urban pricing near your destination. A helpful tip for this route is to monitor real-time traffic reports specifically for the Dan Ryan Expressway, as even small delays there can quickly impact your total travel time.

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 37.8 miles from Fox Lake, IL, or about 53m 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 75.7 miles or 1h 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 37.8 miles or 53m 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 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Calumet City, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Fox Lake, 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, IL

This is one driving day of about 75.7 miles and 1h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fox Lake, 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 37.8 mi from Fox Lake, IL · 53m into the drive

Downtown Evanston, IL, IL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Evanston, IL

38 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

Evanston, IL to Calumet City, IL

35.3 mi · 56m

Pacing Suggestions

Chicago, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 75.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Evanston, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.8 miles from Fox Lake, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Calumet City, IL

The final approach into Calumet City, 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 Calumet City, 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

$11.50 one way

$23.00 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $12.68 $25.35
premium $4.80 $14.29 $28.58
diesel $5.64 $16.82 $33.64

Estimated Tolls: $0.18

Tri-state Tollway (2.9 mi) $0.18

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

$12

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.7 0 $7.95 $3.63
Efficient EV 18.9 0 $6.62 $3.03
EV Truck/SUV 30.3 0 $10.60 $4.84

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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Fox Lake, IL

Evening in Fox Lake on Sunday

Local time

5:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Calumet City, IL

Evening in Calumet City on Sunday

Local time

5:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°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

2 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 46m 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, IL to Calumet City, IL covers 75.7 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Edens Expressway, IL 60, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.8 miles from Fox Lake, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.50 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 14 significant decision points across 75.7 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 (US 12): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.2 miles (I 94 / Edens Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.2 miles (I 90; I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Fox Lake, IL to Calumet City, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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