Origin
Palatine, IL
Afternoon in Palatine on Thursday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palatine, IL to Dolton, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 8m
Distance
48.3 mi
78 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 3m
★
6 AM
1h 9m
8 AM
1h 20m
10 AM
1h 13m
12 PM
1h 12m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palatine, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Dolton, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a journey from Palatine, IL, to Dolton, IL, covers a manageable 48.3 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 8 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stop. You'll primarily navigate via the Tri-State Tollway, I-290, and IL 53, with about 35% of the route being on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $8 for this excursion. The overall feel of this trip is a practical, straightforward drive within the Midwest region, connecting two points in Illinois without significant detours or changes in scenery.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 8m. Total distance: 48.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route presents a mixed drive, balancing highway speeds with other road types. With 35% of the journey on highways, you'll experience some faster travel, particularly during the longest stretch of 22 miles on the Tri-State Tollway. The character of the road shifts as you progress, moving from potentially faster tollway sections to other main roads. It's not a monotonous interstate grind, but rather a functional connection designed for efficiency. You'll likely encounter various traffic conditions as you traverse these Illinois roadways.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 22 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 2.7 miles in near IL 53.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.3 miles you will encounter 19 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 2.7 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53 toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
7
9.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 290
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290 toward I 290 East: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
8
19 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
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 15A
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
6
19.7 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
8
42.2 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Take the exit toward IL 83: 147th Street, Sibley Boulevard
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 8
Toward IL 83: 147th Street, Sibley Boulevard
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Palatine, IL to Dolton, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana along the way.
Indiana
19 mi in
|
~26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 22 mi | 28m |
| I 290 | 9.3 mi | 12m |
| IL 53 | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| West 147th Street | 3 mi | 5m |
| Hicks Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| South Indiana Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Sibley Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| Mile-Long Bridge | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 22 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palatine, IL and Dolton, IL.
1
Start on East Palatine Road
73 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Palatine Road
2
Turn right onto US 14
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
East Northwest Highway
3
Turn right onto Hicks Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Hicks Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto Euclid Avenue
66 ft
·
1 sec
·
Euclid Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward IL 53 South
6
Merge onto IL 53
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
IL 53
7
Keep slight left at fork onto IL 53
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
IL 53
Toward I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 290
9.3 mi
·
12 min
·
I 290
Toward I 290 East: Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
12
Merge onto I 294
137 ft
·
1 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Mile-Long Bridge
16
Continue on I 294
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8
Toward IL 83: 147th Street, Sibley Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto IL 83
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
West 147th Street
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on IL 83
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Sibley Boulevard
20
Turn left onto South Indiana Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Indiana Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto East 142nd Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 142nd Street
22
Turn left onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
23
Turn sharp right onto Lincoln Avenue
63 ft
·
1 sec
·
Lincoln Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Lincoln Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.2 mi from Palatine, IL · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.2 miles from Palatine, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dolton, IL
The final approach into Dolton, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.55 one way
$15.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.29 | $16.58 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.29 | $18.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.66 | $21.33 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.32
Tri-state Tollway
(22 mi)
$1.32
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$1
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.07 | $2.32 |
| Efficient EV | 12.1 | 0 | $4.23 | $1.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.76 | $3.09 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Dolton, IL
Afternoon in Dolton on Thursday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
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
21 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 8m 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 Palatine, IL to Dolton, IL covers 48.3 miles and takes about 1h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, I 290, IL 53. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.2 miles from Palatine, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.55 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 48.3 miles you will encounter 19 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 2.7 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles (I 290): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Palatine, IL to Dolton, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Indiana along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Pullman National Historical Park.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Dolton, IL
More trips to Dolton, IL
Explore more options from Palatine, IL or browse trips ending in Dolton, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Palatine, IL or Dolton, IL on MapSof.net.