Origin
Morris, IL
Evening in Morris on Sunday
Local time
6:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Morris, IL to Chicago, IL
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
59.4 mi
96 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 29m
8 PM
1h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Morris, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
Traveling from Morris to Chicago covers a quick 59.4-mile stretch that typically takes about 1 hour and 17 minutes to complete. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach the city without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Division Street, I-80 East, and I-55 North to make your way into the heart of the Midwest. Budgeting about $9 for fuel should comfortably cover your gas needs for the one-way transit. This route is straightforward, making it an efficient choice if you are looking to move between these two Illinois locations without unnecessary delays.
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
29.7 miles from Morris, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that transitions into a more structured highway experience as you head toward the city. While the route does not feature a single long, uninterrupted stretch, it requires your attention as you navigate through the local segments before merging onto I-80 and I-55. The lack of a high highway-share percentage means you will experience more variation in your driving environment than a standard interstate cruise. Be prepared for a mix of road types that change as you leave Morris behind. Staying alert is key, as the local portions of the drive demand more frequent adjustments behind the wheel compared to a purely highway-based route.
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.
I 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 36.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near I 80.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 59.4 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 2.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
16.4 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
56.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
8
56.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Damen Avenue
9
56.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 36.1 mi | 45m |
| I 80 | 13.9 mi | 14m |
| Stevenson Expressway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Division Street | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Damen Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Blue Island Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 36.1 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morris, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on this road
49 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
43 ft
·
5 sec
3
Turn right onto IL 47
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Division Street
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 80 East: Joliet
5
Merge onto I 80
14 mi
·
14 min
·
I 80
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 55
36 mi
·
45 min
·
I 55
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Stevenson Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Damen Avenue
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Damen Avenue
13
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Blue Island Avenue
Use the none lane.
14
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
15
Turn right
152 ft
·
11 sec
16
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around Chicago’s typical traffic patterns to ensure a smoother arrival. While there are no scheduled stops required for a trip of this length, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is still a good habit, especially with a $9 budget in mind. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads at the start of your journey, consider using a reliable navigation app to help manage the transitions between Division Street and the main interstates. Use the brevity of this 59.4-mile trip to your advantage by leaving early in the day, which helps you avoid the stress of peak congestion. Prioritize checking local traffic reports before you head out, as I-55 North can become quite busy as you approach the city.
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 29.7 miles from Morris, IL, or about 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.1 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 59.4 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.7 miles or 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 2m
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 Morris, 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 Morris, IL
This is one driving day of about 59.4 miles and 1h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Morris, 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 55 for about 36.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.7 mi from Morris, IL · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 59.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.7 miles from Morris, 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
$9.02 one way
$18.04 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.95 | $19.89 |
| premium | $4.80 | $11.21 | $22.43 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.20 | $26.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.24 | $2.85 |
| Efficient EV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.20 | $2.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.32 | $3.80 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
6:38 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
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
1h 17m 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 Morris, IL to Chicago, IL covers 59.4 miles and takes about 1h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, I 80, Stevenson 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 29.7 miles from Morris, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.02 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 is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 59.4 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 2.4 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Morris, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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