Origin
Fulton, IL
Morning in Fulton on Friday
Local time
6:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fulton, IL to Chicago, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
142.6 mi
229 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 20m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fulton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
The drive from Fulton, IL to Chicago, IL covers 142.6 miles and takes about 2h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 10th Avenue, Waller Road, 14th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.29 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
71.3 miles from Fulton, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 142.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 30m drive with frequent turns across 142.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
10th Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Fulton, IL to Chicago, IL is easy. At 2h 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fulton, IL to Chicago, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Avenue | — | — |
| Waller Road | — | — |
| 14th Avenue | — | — |
| Lincoln Road | — | — |
| West Lincoln Way | — | — |
| West Lincolnway | — | — |
| East Lincoln Way | — | — |
| I 88 East | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
10th Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fulton, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on 9th Street
20 ft
·
6 sec
·
9th Street
2
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Avenue
3
Turn right onto Waller Road
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Waller Road
4
Turn left onto 14th Avenue
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
14th Avenue
5
Turn left onto Lincoln Road
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Lincoln Road
6
Continue on West Lincoln Way
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Lincoln Way
7
Continue on West Lincolnway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Lincolnway
8
Continue on East Lincoln Way
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Lincoln Way
9
Continue on Lincoln Road
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Lincoln Road
10
Continue straight
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
11
Continue straight
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 88 East: Dixon
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 88 East: Dixon
13
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
14
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
91 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
15
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
16
Merge slight right onto Eisenhower Expressway
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Eisenhower Expressway
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
19
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
20
Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
18th Street
21
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Union Avenue
22
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
505 ft
·
13 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
23
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Halsted Street
24
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Cermak Road
25
Turn left
151 ft
·
11 sec
26
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
27
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.3 miles from Fulton, IL, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
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 31 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.3 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 3m
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 Fulton, 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 Fulton, IL
This is one driving day of about 142.6 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Fulton, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.3 mi from Fulton, IL · 1h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.3 miles from Fulton, 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
$22.29 one way
$44.59 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.48 | $48.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.44 | $54.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.48 | $62.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.97 | $6.84 |
| Efficient EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.48 | $5.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57 | 0 | $19.96 | $9.13 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Morning in Chicago on Friday
Local time
6:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Aurora, IL
71 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 30m 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 Fulton, IL to Chicago, IL covers 142.6 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 10th Avenue, Waller Road, 14th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.3 miles from Fulton, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.29 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Fulton, IL to Chicago, IL is easy. At 2h 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fulton, IL to Chicago, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fulton, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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