Trip from Mundelein, IL to Chicago, IL

Drive Time

56m

Distance

40.1 mi

65 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min

4 AM

0h 52m ★

6 AM

0h 56m

8 AM

1h 5m

10 AM

0h 59m

12 PM

0h 59m

3 PM

1h 0m

5 PM

1h 5m

8 PM

0h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Mundelein, IL

Mike Tyurin

Chicago, IL

Otoniel Alvarado

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Mundelein to Chicago, expect a straightforward 40.1-mile journey that typically takes about 56 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $6 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest locations. Because this drive is short and efficient, it is ideal for commuters or those heading into the city for a quick visit. You will rely primarily on major infrastructure, including the Edens Expressway, the Kennedy Expressway, and the Edens Spur, to navigate the distance.

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

20.1 miles from Mundelein, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 66% of your time spent on major expressways. You should be prepared for a fast-paced drive, as the route is designed for efficiency rather than leisurely cruising. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 13.7-mile segment on the Edens Expressway. While the drive remains consistent, you will notice the transition from the quieter surroundings of Mundelein into the denser, high-traffic corridors leading directly into Chicago. Expect a practical interstate experience that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity 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 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Edens Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 13.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Edens Expressway and Kennedy Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near US 45.

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 40.1 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 2.1 miles (US 45): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.4 miles (IL 22 / West Half Day Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.6 miles (I 94 / Edens Spur): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

2.1 mi into trip | ~3m in | US 45

Turn left onto US 45

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

6.4 mi into trip | ~10m in | IL 22 / West Half Day Road

At end of road, turn left onto IL 22 / West Half Day Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / none lanes.

11.6 mi into trip | ~17m in | I 94 / Edens Spur

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Edens Spur toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago

39.1 mi into trip | ~53m 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

39.8 mi into trip | ~54m in | West Cermak Road

Turn right onto West Cermak Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Edens Expressway	13.7 mi	17m
Kennedy Expressway	8.1 mi	11m
Edens Spur	4.8 mi	5m
US 45	3.9 mi	6m
Tri-State Tollway	2.9 mi	3m
South Lake Street	2.1 mi	3m
West Half Day Road	1.8 mi	2m
Dan Ryan Expressway	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Edens Expressway — 13.7 mi, about 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mundelein, IL and Chicago, IL.

Start on US 45

2.1 mi · 3 min · South Lake Street

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto US 45

3.9 mi · 6 min · US 45

Use the left lane.

Continue on Olde Half Day Road

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Olde Half Day Road

Use the left / none lanes.

At end of road, turn left onto IL 22

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Half Day Road

Use the left / none lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Toward I 94 East Toll: Indiana

Merge onto I 94

2.9 mi · 3 min · Tri-State Tollway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

4.8 mi · 5 min · Edens Spur

Toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago Use the slight left lane.

Continue on I 94; US 41

14 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 90; I 94

8.1 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 90; I 94

0.9 mi · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Exit 52C Toward 18th Street Use the slight right lane.

Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue

0.2 mi · 30 sec · South Union Avenue

Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue

505 ft · 12 sec · South Canalport Avenue

Turn left onto South Halsted Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · South Halsted Street

Turn right onto West Cermak Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West Cermak Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left

152 ft · 11 sec

Turn right

0.2 mi · 58 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a quick drive with zero planned stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever best fits your schedule. However, given the reliance on major expressways like the Kennedy, it is wise to monitor traffic reports to avoid peak congestion hours. You will not need to worry about extensive refueling or long-distance planning, as the $6 fuel cost reflects the short 56-minute duration. Keep your eyes on the road as you transition between the Edens Spur and the main expressway network, as these interchanges are key to maintaining your momentum. Use the simplicity of this short route to your advantage by keeping your trip focused and direct.

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 20.1 miles from Mundelein, IL, or about 27m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.7 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 40.1 miles or 56m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 20.1 miles or 27m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 46m

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 Mundelein, 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 Mundelein, IL

This is one driving day of about 40.1 miles and 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mundelein, 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 Edens Expressway for about 13.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 20.1 mi from Mundelein, IL · 27m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Glenview, IL

20 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.

Popular next leg

Glenview, IL to Chicago, IL

19.9 mi · 31m

Pacing Suggestions

Oak Park, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Glenview, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 20.1 miles from Mundelein, 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

$6.09 one way

$12.18 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$6.71	$13.43
premium	$4.80	$7.57	$15.14
diesel	$5.64	$8.91	$17.82

Estimated Tolls: $0.18

Tri-state Tollway (2.9 mi) $0.18

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

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$31–$56

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 14 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	12	$4.21	$1.92
Efficient EV	10	$3.51	$1.60
EV Truck/SUV	16	$5.61	$2.57

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Mundelein, IL

Night in Mundelein on Sunday

Local time

9:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chicago, IL

Night in Chicago on Sunday

Local time

9:13 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

4 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

56m 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 Mundelein, IL to Chicago, IL covers 40.1 miles and takes about 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Edens Expressway, Kennedy Expressway, Edens Spur. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 20.1 miles from Mundelein, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.09 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.