Origin
Northbrook, IL
Evening in Northbrook on Sunday
Local time
6:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Northbrook, IL to Chicago, IL
Drive Time
38m
Distance
26 mi
42 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 35m
★
6 AM
0h 39m
8 AM
0h 45m
10 AM
0h 41m
12 PM
0h 40m
3 PM
0h 41m
5 PM
0h 45m
8 PM
0h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Northbrook, IL
Mike Tyurin
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Northbrook to Chicago, you are looking at a straightforward 26-mile trip. Expect to spend about 38 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Edens Expressway and the Kennedy Expressway, supplemented by short stretches on Shermer Road. With a fuel budget of just $4, this is an incredibly economical journey through the Midwest. Since both locations are within Illinois, you won't face any significant regional transitions, allowing you to focus entirely on the logistics of the commute.
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
13 miles from Northbrook, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 26-mile route is heavily highway-focused, with 86% of your time spent on major expressways. You will encounter a consistent, fast-paced rhythm as you transition from the suburban feel of Northbrook into the dense urban environment of Chicago. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 13.3 miles on the Edens Expressway, providing a predictable flow for the majority of the drive. While Shermer Road offers a brief local change of pace, the overall character of the trip is defined by the efficiency of the interstate system. Expect a functional, direct drive that prioritizes speed 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 13.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Edens Expressway and Kennedy Expressway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 1st Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 26 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 0.1 miles (1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Walters Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (I 94; US 41 / Edens Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
1st Street
Turn left onto 1st Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Walters Avenue
Turn left onto Walters Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 94; US 41 / Edens Expressway
Merge onto I 94; US 41 / Edens Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
24.9 mi into trip
|
~35m 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
6
25.6 mi into trip
|
~37m 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 | 13.3 mi | 16m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| Shermer Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Dundee Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Union Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Halsted Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Edens Expressway
— 13.3 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northbrook, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on this road
298 ft
·
27 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto 1st Street
294 ft
·
15 sec
·
1st Street
3
Turn left onto Walters Avenue
121 ft
·
8 sec
·
Walters Avenue
4
Turn left onto Shermer Road
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Shermer Road
5
Keep slight right at fork onto Shermer Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Shermer Road
6
Turn slight right onto IL 68
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dundee Road
Use the none lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 94 East, US 41 South
8
Merge onto I 94; US 41
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Edens Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on I 90; I 94
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Union Avenue
13
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
14
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
15
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
17
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 38-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though traffic patterns on the Kennedy Expressway should dictate your schedule. Since there are no required stops on this 26-mile route, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to refuel or rest. Keep an eye on local traffic reports before you leave Northbrook, as congestion is common on these major Illinois corridors. My best advice for this specific route is to stay alert during the transition from the Edens to the Kennedy, as merging patterns can become dense as you approach the city center.
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 13 miles from Northbrook, IL, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.3 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 26 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
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 Northbrook, 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 Northbrook, IL
This is one driving day of about 26 miles and 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Northbrook, 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 13.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13 mi from Northbrook, IL · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13 miles from Northbrook, 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
$3.95 one way
$7.90 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $4.35 | $8.71 |
| premium | $4.80 | $4.91 | $9.82 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.78 | $11.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.73 | $1.25 |
| Efficient EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.28 | $1.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.64 | $1.66 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
5 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
38m 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 Northbrook, IL to Chicago, IL covers 26 miles and takes about 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Edens Expressway, Kennedy Expressway, Shermer Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13 miles from Northbrook, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.95 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 26 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 0.1 miles (1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Walters Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (I 94; US 41 / Edens Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Northbrook, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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