Origin
Lombard, IL
Evening in Lombard on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lombard, IL to Palatine, IL
Drive Time
28m
Distance
17.9 mi
29 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 26m
★
6 AM
0h 29m
8 AM
0h 34m
10 AM
0h 31m
12 PM
0h 30m
3 PM
0h 31m
5 PM
0h 34m
8 PM
0h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lombard, IL
Rino Adamo
Palatine, IL
Claudia Solano
Trip Overview
Traveling between Lombard and Palatine is a straightforward 17.9-mile journey that typically takes about 28 minutes. This Midwest transit is perfectly suited for a quick day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via I-290, the Veterans Memorial Tollway, and IL-53 to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly commute. Since both towns are located in Illinois, you will remain within the same region for the duration of the trip, making this a simple and predictable drive.
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
8.9 miles from Lombard, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed-drive experience that balances highway speed with local connectivity. Roughly 44% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on highways, providing a steady pace for a large portion of the 28-minute duration. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted segment while cruising for 5.6 miles on I-290. As you transition between these major arteries, the road’s personality shifts from high-speed corridors to the more standard suburban infrastructure found throughout this part of the state.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 13 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 5.6 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 3.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 17.9 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 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.2 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.2 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
5
3.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
13.2 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
15.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward Kirchoff Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Kirchoff Road
6
17.8 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
East Palatine Road
Turn left onto East Palatine Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 290 | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Veterans Memorial Tollway | 4 mi | 4m |
| IL 53 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| South Grace Street | 1.7 mi | 5m |
| Hicks Road | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| North Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| East Northwest Highway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Kirchoff Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 290
— 5.6 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lombard, IL and Palatine, IL.
1
Start on South Grace Street
1.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South Grace Street
2
Turn left onto IL 64
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Avenue
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 355
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the none lane.
5
Merge onto I 290
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
IL 53
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward Kirchoff Road
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto Kirchoff Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Kirchoff Road
9
Turn right onto West Frontage Road
400 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Frontage Road
10
Continue on Hicks Road
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Hicks Road
Use the none lane.
11
Turn left onto US 14
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
East Northwest Highway
12
Turn left onto East Palatine Road
73 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Palatine Road
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
East Palatine Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a short trip with zero mandatory stops, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. However, be mindful that your path relies heavily on major roads like the Veterans Memorial Tollway, so checking local traffic reports before you head out is a smart move. You will not need to plan for fuel stops given the short distance, but keeping a few dollars set aside for tolls is a practical necessity. Focus on pacing your drive to navigate the interchanges between IL-53 and the other main roads smoothly. Enjoy the convenience of this quick trip, as the lack of required stops allows you to reach Palatine directly and efficiently.
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 8.9 miles from Lombard, IL, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.6 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 17.9 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.9 miles or 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palatine, 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 17.9 miles and 28m.
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 5.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.9 mi from Lombard, IL · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 17.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.9 miles from Lombard, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Palatine, IL
The final approach into Palatine, 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 Palatine, 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
$2.72 one way
$5.44 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $3.00 | $5.99 |
| premium | $4.80 | $3.38 | $6.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.98 | $7.95 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.28
Veterans Memorial Tollway
(4 mi)
$0.28
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
$3
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.88 | $0.86 |
| Efficient EV | 4.5 | 0 | $1.57 | $0.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.51 | $1.15 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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
Palatine, IL
Evening in Palatine on Sunday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°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
2 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
28m 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 Palatine, IL covers 17.9 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 290, Veterans Memorial Tollway, IL 53. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.9 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 $2.72 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 9 significant decision points across 17.9 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 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 355 / Veterans Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.2 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lombard, IL to Palatine, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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