Origin
Lincolnshire, IL
Evening in Lincolnshire on Friday
Local time
8:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
46m
Distance
32.3 mi
52 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lincolnshire, IL
Mike Bird
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Lincolnshire, IL to Chicago, IL is 32.3 miles and takes about 46m via Edens Expressway, with a fuel budget near $5 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive entirely within Illinois, connecting two points in the Midwest. Expect a quick commute, making it ideal for a day trip or a simple transfer. The route is primarily on well-maintained expressways, so you won't encounter many unexpected detours or slow-downs. It's a practical option for getting from the northern suburbs directly into the heart of Chicago.
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 46m. Total distance: 32.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This route is heavily influenced by highway driving, with 70% of the journey taking place on expressways like the Edens Expressway and Kennedy Expressway. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 13.7 miles on the Edens Expressway, offering a consistent pace. The character is predominantly that of a busy urban artery, designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration. As you approach Chicago, expect the intensity of traffic to increase, reflecting the transition into a major metropolitan area. This is a drive built for speed and directness.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Edens Expressway and Kennedy Expressway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near Deerfield Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 32.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 2.3 miles (Deerfield Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (I 94 / Edens Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Deerfield Road
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
Navigation decision point
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
Take the exit toward 18th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Edens Expressway | 13.7 mi | 17m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| Edens Spur | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Riverwoods Road | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Deerfield Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lincolnshire, IL and Chicago, IL.
Start on Londonderry Lane
Turn right onto Riverwoods Road
Continue on Sanders Road
Turn left onto Deerfield Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
Continue on I 94; US 41
Continue on I 90; I 94
Continue on I 90; I 94
Take the exit
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
Turn left
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.2 mi from Lincolnshire, IL · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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.
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 16.2 miles from Lincolnshire, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Chicago, IL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.05 one way
$10.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.54 | $11.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.22 | $12.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.13 | $14.26 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.05
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$0
Total
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.39 | $1.55 |
| Efficient EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.83 | $1.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.52 | $2.07 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Lincolnshire on Friday
Local time
8:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Chicago on Friday
Local time
8:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Lincolnshire, IL or browse trips ending in Chicago, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.