Origin
Round Lake, IL
Evening in Round Lake on Sunday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Round Lake, IL to Chicago, IL
Drive Time
1h 8m
Distance
49.1 mi
79 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 3m
★
6 AM
1h 9m
8 AM
1h 19m
10 AM
1h 12m
12 PM
1h 11m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Round Lake, IL
Sean Ewing
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
Traveling from Round Lake to Chicago covers 49.1 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 8 minutes. Since this is a straightforward trek within the Midwest, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $8 for fuel to complete the journey. Navigating via Nippersink Avenue, East Main Street, and West Belvidere Road keeps you off the major interstates entirely. This route is an ideal choice if you prefer local roads over the high-speed, high-traffic corridors usually associated with Illinois 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
24.5 miles from Round Lake, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route maintains a 0% highway share. Your journey relies on winding through community streets rather than hitting long, uninterrupted stretches of pavement. Because you are avoiding the interstates, you will stay on surface roads for the entire 49.1 miles. This creates a more hands-on driving experience where you will need to stay alert for frequent turns. It is a steady, localized pace that feels very different from the standard interstate grind.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 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 route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IL 134 / Railroad Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.1 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (IL 134 / Railroad Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.4 miles (IL 120 / West Belvidere Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (US 41 / North Skokie Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 134 / Railroad Avenue
Turn sharp right onto IL 134 / Railroad Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
IL 120 / West Belvidere Road
Turn left onto IL 120 / West Belvidere Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
12.5 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
US 41 / North Skokie Highway
Turn right onto US 41 / North Skokie Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
48 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
48.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m 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 |
| North Skokie Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Buckley Road | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Skokie Highway | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Skokie Valley Road | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Antioch Road | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| West Belvidere Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Edens Expressway
— 13.7 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Round Lake, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on North Cedar Lake Road
215 ft
·
13 sec
·
North Cedar Lake Road
2
Turn sharp right onto IL 134
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Railroad Avenue
3
Continue on IL 134
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
4
Turn left onto IL 120
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West Belvidere Road
Use the none lane.
5
Turn right onto IL 83
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Ivanhoe Road
6
Continue on Antioch Road
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Antioch Road
Use the left / none lanes.
7
Continue on IL 137
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
Old Peterson Road
8
Continue on IL 137
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Peterson Road
9
Continue on IL 137
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Buckley Road
Use the left / none lanes.
10
Turn right onto US 41
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
North Skokie Highway
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on US 41
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 94; US 41
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on I 90; I 94
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Union Avenue
18
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
19
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
20
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
21
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
22
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of these roads, try to avoid peak commuting hours to keep your travel time closer to the 1-hour and 8-minute mark. Since there are no designated stops, you have the flexibility to plan your own breaks whenever you feel the need. Keep your gas tank in mind before heading out, as the $8 fuel estimate assumes a steady flow. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep a reliable GPS running, as navigating the sequence of Nippersink Avenue, East Main Street, and West Belvidere Road requires navigating several turns. Enjoy the ease of a short trip that allows you to reach your destination without the stress of high-speed merging.
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 24.5 miles from Round Lake, IL, or about 34m 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 49.1 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.5 miles or 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 56m
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 Round Lake, 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 Round Lake, IL
This is one driving day of about 49.1 miles and 1h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Round Lake, 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 24.5 mi from Round Lake, IL · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 49.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.5 miles from Round Lake, 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
$7.46 one way
$14.92 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $8.22 | $16.44 |
| premium | $4.80 | $9.27 | $18.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.91 | $21.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.16 | $2.36 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.30 | $1.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.87 | $3.14 |
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
Chicago, IL
Evening in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
5:34 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
3 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 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 Round Lake, IL to Chicago, IL covers 49.1 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 Edens Expressway, Kennedy Expressway, North Skokie Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.5 miles from Round Lake, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.46 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 49.1 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (IL 134 / Railroad Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.4 miles (IL 120 / West Belvidere Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (US 41 / North Skokie Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Round Lake, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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