Origin
Lacon, IL
Afternoon in Lacon on Saturday
Local time
12:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lacon, IL to Chicago, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 41m
Distance
137.1 mi
221 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 31m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lacon, IL
Emilio Sánchez Hernández
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
Lacon, IL to Chicago, IL is 137.1 miles and takes about 2h 41m via I 80 and I 55, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region to the bustling Midwest metropolis of Chicago. Expect a highway-focused drive that efficiently connects these two points. Given the relatively short duration, it's a straightforward journey suitable for a single day of travel. Plan for a drive that transitions from rural landscapes to the urban edge.
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
68.6 miles from Lacon, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 65 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 55 | 36.1 mi | 45m |
| County Road 1400 East | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| I 180 | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| Stevenson Expressway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| 5th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Damen Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 65 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lacon, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on IL 17
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Street
2
Take the ramp onto IL 29
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Railroad Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on IL 29
18 mi
·
20 min
·
County Road 1400 East
4
Merge onto I 180
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 180
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
6
Merge onto I 80
65 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 55
36 mi
·
45 min
·
I 55
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Damen Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Use the left lane.
13
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Damen Avenue
14
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Blue Island Avenue
15
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cermak Road
16
Turn right
152 ft
·
11 sec
17
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under 3 hours, this trip offers great flexibility, making it ideal for a same-day excursion. You can leave Lacon, IL at your leisure, perhaps in the morning to arrive in Chicago with plenty of the day ahead. There's only one recommended stop indicated, so consider making it a quick fuel and stretch break. Given the 83% highway share, a specific tip is to be prepared for potential traffic as you approach the Chicago metropolitan area, especially if traveling during peak hours. The estimated fuel cost of $21 suggests a budget-friendly 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.6 miles from Lacon, IL, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65 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 30 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.6 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 6m
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 Lacon, 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 Lacon, IL
This is one driving day of about 137.1 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Lacon, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 65 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.5 miles from Lacon, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 134.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
IL 29 / Railroad Street
Take the ramp onto IL 29 / Railroad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
94.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
134.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
8
134.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Damen Avenue
9
134.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.43 one way
$42.87 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.53 | $47.07 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.38 | $52.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.27 | $60.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.40 | $6.58 |
| Efficient EV | 34.3 | 0 | $12.00 | $5.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.8 | 0 | $19.19 | $8.77 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in Chicago on Saturday
Local time
12:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
1 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
2h 41m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 124.6
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 83% of the drive on major roads like I 80 and I 55. You'll experience a highway-focused drive for most of the 137.1 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is approximately 65 miles on I 80, allowing for steady progress. While the majority is on interstates, there's a brief segment on County Road 1400 East, offering a slight shift in scenery before rejoining the main thoroughfares. Expect consistent speeds for much of the journey, punctuated by the occasional transition between major highways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 65 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near IL 29 / Railroad Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 137.1 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: at 1.4 miles (IL 29 / Railroad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 94.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Chicago, IL
Full guide →Chicago is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. "Stormy, Husky, Brawling / City of Big Shoulders," Chicago is a Heartland boomtown, its ethos defined by urban planner Daniel Burnham's immortal vision: "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." It is one of the world's great cities and the third largest city in the United States, behind only New York City and Los Angeles. As the hub of the Midwest, Chicago is easy to find — its picturesque skyline calls across the waters of Lake Michigan, a first impression that soon reveals world-class museums of art and science, miles of sandy beaches, huge parks and public art, and perhaps the finest downtown collection of modern architecture in the world.
Top landmarks
- • Willis Tower — skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois
- • Art Institute of Chicago — art museum and school in Chicago, United States
- • Wrigley Field — baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, USA; home venue of the Chicago Cubs
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 137.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lacon, IL to Chicago, IL covers 137.1 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 55, County Road 1400 East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.6 miles from Lacon, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.43 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 137.1 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: at 1.4 miles (IL 29 / Railroad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 94.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 134.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Lacon, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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