Origin
Maywood, IL
Night in Maywood on Wednesday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Maywood, IL to Chicago, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
21m
Distance
12.9 mi
21 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 21m
8 AM
0h 25m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 22m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maywood, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
If you are looking to get from Maywood to downtown Chicago, you are in for a quick 12.9-mile trip that typically takes about 21 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it functions more like a local commute than a long-haul journey. You will primarily utilize the Eisenhower Expressway and the Dan Ryan Expressway to complete your transit across the Midwest. With a fuel cost of only about $2, it is an extremely budget-friendly trek. Because the distance is so short, there is no need to plan for overnight stops or extensive travel logistics. It is a straightforward, no-nonsense drive that connects the suburbs directly to the heart of 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
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
6.4 miles from Maywood, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with approximately 82% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself locked into a steady pace for the longest stretch, which spans 9.9 miles along the Eisenhower Expressway. Navigating this path requires a focus on merging and maintaining flow within the heavy infrastructure of the Chicago metropolitan area. While you start on South 9th Avenue, the transition to the expressway system happens quickly, shifting the character of the drive from local suburban streets to a multi-lane interstate environment. Expect a utilitarian experience where efficiency takes precedence over scenic variety.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 9.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Eisenhower Expressway and Dan Ryan Expressway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near School Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 12.9 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (School Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.9 miles (I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
School Street
At end of road, turn left onto School Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 290 East, IL 110 East
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 290 East, IL 110 East
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway
Merge onto I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
10.9 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
7
11.8 mi into trip
|
~17m 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 | 9.9 mi | 13m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South 9th Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 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 |
| School Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Eisenhower Expressway
— 9.9 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maywood, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on this road
163 ft
·
17 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto School Street
215 ft
·
14 sec
·
School Street
3
Turn left onto South 9th Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South 9th Avenue
4
Turn left onto Bataan Drive
201 ft
·
5 sec
·
Bataan Drive
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 290 East, IL 110 East
6
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
9.9 mi
·
13 min
·
Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
9
Merge onto I 90; I 94
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Union Avenue
12
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
13
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
14
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
15
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
16
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 21-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though keep in mind that traffic patterns on the Eisenhower Expressway can fluctuate significantly during peak hours. You won't need to worry about mid-trip rest stops or long-distance planning given the minimal 12.9-mile distance. Budgeting $2 for fuel is a safe baseline, making this one of the most economical trips you can take in the region. To ensure the smoothest experience, check your GPS for real-time traffic alerts on the expressway before you head out, as even minor delays can impact your arrival time on this heavily traveled corridor.
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 6.4 miles from Maywood, IL, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.9 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 12.9 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.4 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chicago, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Maywood, IL.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Maywood, IL
This is one driving day of about 12.9 miles and 21m.
At 12.9 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Eisenhower Expressway for about 9.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.4 mi from Maywood, IL · 10m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.4 miles from Maywood, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chicago, IL
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.02 one way
$4.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $2.21 | $4.43 |
| premium | $4.89 | $2.48 | $4.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.85 | $5.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.35 | $0.62 |
| Efficient EV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.13 | $0.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.81 | $0.83 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Night in Chicago on Wednesday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph
75% chance
Live forecast
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
13 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
21m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Maywood, IL to Chicago, IL covers 12.9 miles and takes about 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Eisenhower Expressway, Dan Ryan Expressway, South 9th Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.4 miles from Maywood, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.02 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 12.9 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (School Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.9 miles (I 290; IL 110 / Eisenhower Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Maywood, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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