Origin
Lombard, IL
Afternoon in Lombard on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lombard, IL to Chicago, IL
Drive Time
36m
Distance
22.2 mi
36 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 33m
★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 43m
10 AM
0h 39m
12 PM
0h 38m
3 PM
0h 39m
5 PM
0h 42m
8 PM
0h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lombard, IL
Rino Adamo
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
Traveling from Lombard to Chicago is a quick, straightforward journey spanning just 22.2 miles. Depending on traffic flow, you can expect to reach your destination in about 36 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it connects two points within the Midwest region of Illinois. With a fuel budget of approximately $3, it is an incredibly economical drive for commuters or casual travelers. You will primarily navigate via I-290, East Saint Charles Road, and the Dan Ryan Expressway. Because the duration is so brief, there is no need for an overnight stay, making it a highly efficient transit between the suburbs and the city.
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
11.1 miles from Lombard, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 70% of your time spent cruising on major thoroughfares. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 14.8 miles while traveling on I-290, which dictates much of the route's pace. The experience shifts from the suburban environment of Lombard to the high-density infrastructure of the Dan Ryan Expressway as you approach Chicago. While you will encounter some local transitions on East Saint Charles Road, the majority of the drive involves steady, fast-moving highway travel. Expect a functional, no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed over scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 290 is the longest continuous segment at about 14.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 290 and East Saint Charles Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near East Saint Charles Road.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 22.2 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 0.6 miles (East Saint Charles Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles (I 290): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
East Saint Charles Road
Turn right onto East Saint Charles Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
5.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 290
Merge onto I 290
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
20.2 mi into trip
|
~31m 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
21.2 mi into trip
|
~33m 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
21.9 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
West Cermak Road
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 290 | 14.8 mi | 20m |
| East Saint Charles Road | 4.4 mi | 8m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Grace Street | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Union Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Halsted Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Canalport Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 290
— 14.8 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lombard, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on South Grace Street
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Grace Street
2
Turn right onto East Saint Charles Road
4.4 mi
·
8 min
·
East Saint Charles Road
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 290 East
4
Merge onto I 290
15 mi
·
20 min
·
I 290
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
Use the none lane.
7
Merge onto I 90; I 94
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Union Avenue
10
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
11
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
12
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
13
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
14
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 36-minute journey, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given the reliance on major interstates like I-290, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you stay within your estimated travel time. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the distance is short enough to drive straight through. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Lombard, though your $3 estimate should easily cover the distance. A pro tip for this specific route is to monitor real-time traffic reports for the Dan Ryan Expressway before you depart, as congestion can significantly impact your arrival time in Chicago.
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 11.1 miles from Lombard, IL, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.8 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 22.2 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.1 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
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 Lombard, 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 Lombard, IL
This is one driving day of about 22.2 miles and 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lombard, 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 I 290 for about 14.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.1 mi from Lombard, IL · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 22.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.1 miles from Lombard, 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
$3.37 one way
$6.74 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $3.72 | $7.43 |
| premium | $4.80 | $4.19 | $8.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.93 | $9.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.33 | $1.07 |
| Efficient EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.94 | $0.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.11 | $1.42 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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 Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
54°F
Elmhurst, IL
11 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
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
36m 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 Lombard, IL to Chicago, IL covers 22.2 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 290, East Saint Charles Road, Dan Ryan 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 11.1 miles from Lombard, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.37 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 12 significant decision points across 22.2 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 0.6 miles (East Saint Charles Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles (I 290): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Lombard, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Chicago, IL
More trips to Chicago, IL
Explore more options from Lombard, IL or browse trips ending in Chicago, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Lombard, IL or Chicago, IL on MapSof.net.