If you are looking to travel from Newark to Chicago, you are looking at a 57.6-mile trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 13 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budgeting approximately $9 for fuel should comfortably cover your travel costs for this Midwest journey. Because the drive stays entirely within Illinois, you can expect a familiar regional atmosphere from start to finish. It is a straightforward, local-focused connection that bypasses major highways, making it a practical choice if you prefer a more grounded driving experience over high-speed interstate travel.
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
28.9 miles from Newark, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 42m into the drive
.
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Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel rather than a monotonous interstate grind. With 0% of the route on highways, you will spend your time navigating local roads like East Main Street, Walker Road, and Schlapp Road. The longest stretch of uninterrupted driving is 0 miles on East Main Street, highlighting the frequent turns you will encounter along the way. This path prioritizes local connectivity, so be prepared for a slower, more deliberate pace as you move toward the city. The road's personality is defined by these technical, non-highway segments that require your full attention throughout the 57.6-mile duration.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 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 24.9 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 3.6 miles in near Walker Road.
Route Complexity8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 57.8 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 3.6 miles (Walker Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.9 miles (West Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 54.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.6 mi into trip|~5m in|Walker Road
Turn right onto Walker Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
22.9 mi into trip|~33m in|West Main Street
Turn left onto West Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
54.9 mi into trip|~1h 17m 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
55.1 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Damen Avenue
9
55.4 mi into trip|~1h 18m 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
24.9 mi
33m
Walker Road
11.8 mi
16m
West Lockport Road
4.9 mi
7m
Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi
4m
IL 71
3 mi
4m
West Main Street
2.8 mi
4m
Schlapp Road
2 mi
2m
West Cermak Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 24.9 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newark, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on South Johnson Street
14 ft·2 sec·South Johnson Street
2
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East Main Street
3
Turn left onto IL 71
3.0 mi·4 min·IL 71
4
Turn right onto Walker Road
12 mi·16 min·Walker Road
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto Schlapp Road
2.0 mi·2 min·Schlapp Road
6
Turn right onto IL 126
4.9 mi·7 min·West Lockport Road
7
Continue on West Lockport Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Lockport Street
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto West Main Street
2.8 mi·4 min·West Main Street
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 55 North
10
Merge onto I 55
25 mi·33 min·I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi·4 min·Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 290Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward Damen AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft·12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen AvenueUse the left lane.
15
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·South Damen Avenue
16
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Blue Island Avenue
17
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi·1 min·West Cermak Road
18
Turn right
152 ft·11 sec
19
Turn right
0.2 mi·58 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Because the route relies entirely on local roads, keep a close eye on your navigation to manage the frequent turns effectively. You won't need to plan for lengthy rest stops given the 1 hour and 13-minute duration, but it is wise to ensure your fuel tank is ready before you leave to keep your $9 budget on track. A specific tip for this drive is to remain alert while transitioning between East Main Street, Walker Road, and Schlapp Road, as the lack of highway stretches means you will be maneuvering through local turns for the entire distance.
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 28.9 miles from Newark, IL, or about 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.9 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 57.8 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 28.9 miles or 42m 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 9m
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 Newark, 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 Newark, IL
This is one driving day of about 57.8 miles and 1h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Newark, 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 24.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.9 mi from Newark, IL
· 42m into the drive
The midpoint is around 28.9 miles from Newark, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 53.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.78 one way
$17.56 round trip
$3.86/gal25.4 MPG avg20 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.25
$9.68
$19.36
premium
$4.80
$10.91
$21.82
diesel
$5.64
$12.84
$25.68
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: 20.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
17.3
0
$6.07
$2.77
Efficient EV
14.5
0
$5.06
$2.31
EV Truck/SUV
23.1
0
$8.09
$3.70
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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 14 hours ago
Origin
Newark, IL
Night
in Newark on Tuesday
Local time
9:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chicago, IL
Night
in Chicago on Tuesday
Local time
9:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph75% chanceLive 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
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 24m 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 Newark, IL to Chicago, IL covers 57.8 miles and takes about 1h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Walker Road, West Lockport Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 28.9 miles from Newark, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.78 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 57.8 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 3.6 miles (Walker Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.9 miles (West Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 54.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Newark, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
