Origin
Lisle, IL
Evening in Lisle on Sunday
Local time
8:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lisle, IL to Chicago, IL
Drive Time
38m
Distance
26.9 mi
43 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 36m
★
6 AM
0h 39m
8 AM
0h 46m
10 AM
0h 41m
12 PM
0h 41m
3 PM
0h 42m
5 PM
0h 45m
8 PM
0h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lisle, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Lisle to Chicago, you are looking at a quick 26.9-mile transit across the Illinois Midwest. With an estimated travel time of 38 minutes, this journey is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate a combination of the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, the Eisenhower Expressway, and the Dan Ryan Expressway. Budgeting approximately $4 for fuel makes this a very economical commute between the suburbs and the city. Because the duration is so brief, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging or splitting the drive. It is a straightforward, practical connection that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
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
13.5 miles from Lisle, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed-drive experience that leans heavily on major interstate infrastructure. Roughly 52% of your journey takes place on highways, meaning you will spend much of your time at steady cruising speeds. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch while navigating 13.2 miles on the Eisenhower Expressway. The road character transitions from the suburban flow of the tollway into the more complex, high-traffic environment of the city’s expressway system. While it is not a scenic winding road, the route offers a clear, functional path that requires your full attention as you transition into the dense urban landscape.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Eisenhower Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 13.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Southport Avenue.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 26.9 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 0.1 miles (Southport Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (IL 53 / Lincoln Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Southport Avenue
Turn left onto Southport Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 53 / Lincoln Avenue
Turn right onto IL 53 / Lincoln Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
5.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
24.9 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
7
25.9 mi into trip
|
~35m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Eisenhower Expressway | 13.2 mi | 18m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 10.5 mi | 13m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Lincoln Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Union Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Southport Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Halsted Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Eisenhower Expressway
— 13.2 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lisle, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on Main Street
473 ft
·
28 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto Southport Avenue
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Southport Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto IL 53
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Lincoln Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 88 Toll East
5
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Eisenhower Expressway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
Use the none lane.
10
Merge onto I 90; I 94
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Union Avenue
13
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
14
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
15
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
17
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 38-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given the nature of these expressways, check for traffic reports before you leave to avoid the heaviest congestion on the Eisenhower or Dan Ryan. You won't need to plan for any stops along the way, as the distance is short enough to drive straight through without fatigue. Keep that $4 fuel estimate in mind as you prep your vehicle for the trip. To make the most of your travel, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure your transit remains as smooth and efficient as possible.
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 13.5 miles from Lisle, IL, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.2 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 26.9 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.5 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
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 Lisle, 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 Lisle, IL
This is one driving day of about 26.9 miles and 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lisle, 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 Eisenhower Expressway for about 13.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.5 mi from Lisle, IL · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 26.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.5 miles from Lisle, 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
$4.09 one way
$8.17 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $4.50 | $9.01 |
| premium | $4.80 | $5.08 | $10.16 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.98 | $11.95 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.63
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(10.5 mi)
$0.63
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
$4
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.82 | $1.29 |
| Efficient EV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.35 | $1.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.77 | $1.72 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
Evening in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
8:05 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
6 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
38m 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 Lisle, IL to Chicago, IL covers 26.9 miles and takes about 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Eisenhower Expressway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Dan Ryan Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.5 miles from Lisle, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.09 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 15 significant decision points across 26.9 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 0.1 miles (Southport Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (IL 53 / Lincoln Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lisle, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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