Origin
Fox Lake, IL
Evening in Fox Lake on Sunday
Local time
6:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fox Lake, IL to Chicago, IL
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
54.7 mi
88 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 30m
10 AM
1h 22m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fox Lake, IL
John Baker
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
Traveling from Fox Lake to Chicago covers 54.7 miles of Midwestern landscape, typically taking about 1 hour and 18 minutes. Since this journey is well under two hours, it is a straightforward day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $8 on fuel for the one-way trip. The route relies entirely on local roads like West Belvidere Road and West Half Day Road rather than major interstates. It is a practical commute that allows for significant flexibility in your schedule, making it an easy excursion for those looking to reach the city without the intensity of long-distance highway travel.
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
27.4 miles from Fox Lake, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Because this route features 0% highway travel, you will navigate through various local corridors rather than cruising at high speeds on an interstate. You will find that there is no single long-distance stretch on this drive, as the path is defined by the transitions between West Belvidere Road, Olde Half Day Road, and West Half Day Road. This character makes for a more technical driving experience compared to a standard freeway commute. Stay alert, as the winding nature of these local roads requires consistent attention to turns and changing traffic patterns.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 54.7 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 6 miles (IL 60): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.2 miles (I 94 / Edens Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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
|
US 12
Turn left onto US 12
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
IL 60
Turn right onto IL 60
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
7
53.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m 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
54.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m 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 |
| IL 60 | 10.6 mi | 17m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| US 12 | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| Edens Spur | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| US 45 | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| West Half Day Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Edens Expressway
— 13.7 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fox Lake, IL and Chicago, 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
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Union Avenue
19
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
20
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
21
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
22
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
23
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the lack of highway stretches, plan your departure around local traffic patterns to avoid getting slowed down by frequent turns and intersections. Since this is a relatively short 54.7-mile drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your itinerary best. There are no planned stops on this route, so ensure your fuel tank is ready before you pull out of Fox Lake to cover the estimated $8 in costs. A helpful tip for this specific journey is to keep your GPS active and ready for frequent navigation prompts, as the reliance on local roads means you will be making many turns throughout the hour-long trip.
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 27.4 miles from Fox Lake, IL, or about 40m 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 54.7 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.4 miles or 40m 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 4m
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, 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 54.7 miles and 1h 18m.
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 27.4 mi from Fox Lake, IL · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 54.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.4 miles from Fox Lake, 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
$8.31 one way
$16.62 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.16 | $18.32 |
| premium | $4.80 | $10.33 | $20.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.15 | $24.30 |
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
$8
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.74 | $2.63 |
| Efficient EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.79 | $2.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.66 | $3.50 |
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.
Destination
Chicago, IL
Evening in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
6:49 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 18m 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 Chicago, IL covers 54.7 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Edens Expressway, IL 60, Kennedy Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.4 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 $8.31 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 54.7 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 6 miles (IL 60): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.2 miles (I 94 / Edens Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fox Lake, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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