Origin
Sandwich, IL
Night in Sandwich on Friday
Local time
9:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sandwich, IL to Chicago, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 28m
Distance
63.4 mi
102 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 22m
★
6 AM
1h 29m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 32m
3 PM
1h 34m
5 PM
1h 42m
8 PM
1h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sandwich, IL
Costin Cerednicenco
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
This 63.4-mile drive from Sandwich, IL to Chicago, IL is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 28 minutes. With a projected fuel cost of just $10, this route is very budget-friendly for a single day trip, and no overnight stays are necessary. You'll primarily be on IL 56 and the Eisenhower Expressway, making for a predictable journey. The drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel as you transition from a more rural starting point to the urban destination of Chicago. This route is ideal for a quick commute or a day visit.
About the Cities
Arriving in Chicago, IL
Full guide →Chicago is the home of the blues and the truth of jazz, the heart of comedy and the idea of the skyscraper. Here, the age of railroads found its center, and airplanes followed suit. "Stormy, Husky, Brawling / City of Big Shoulders," Chicago is a Heartland boomtown, its ethos defined by urban planner Daniel Burnham's immortal vision: "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." It is one of the world's great cities and the third largest city in the United States, behind only New York City and Los Angeles. As the hub of the Midwest, Chicago is easy to find — its picturesque skyline calls across the waters of Lake Michigan, a first impression that soon reveals world-class museums of art and science, miles of sandy beaches, huge parks and public art, and perhaps the finest downtown collection of modern architecture in the world.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 28m. Total distance: 63.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for about 66% of this 63.4-mile journey. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 24.8 miles on IL 56, which provides a consistent pace. As you approach Chicago, the landscape will transition, and you'll merge onto the Eisenhower Expressway, indicating your arrival into a more metropolitan area. The road itself is designed for efficiency, with a focus on moving traffic smoothly towards the city. It's a drive that prioritizes reaching your destination with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IL 56 is the longest continuous segment at about 24.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IL 56 and Eisenhower Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 34 / East Church Street.
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 63.4 miles you will encounter 17 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 (US 34 / East Church Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.2 miles (Eldamain Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles (Galena Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 34 / East Church Street
Turn left onto US 34 / East Church Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
7.2 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
Eldamain Road
Turn left onto Eldamain Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
10.8 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
Galena Road
Turn right onto Galena Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
61.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
7
62.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IL 56 | 24.8 mi | 30m |
| Eisenhower Expressway | 13.2 mi | 18m |
| East Church Street | 7.1 mi | 13m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 6 mi | 7m |
| Eldamain Road | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| US 30 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Galena Road | 2 mi | 2m |
| North Bridge Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
IL 56
— 24.8 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sandwich, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on North Main Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 34
7.1 mi
·
13 min
·
East Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto Eldamain Road
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Eldamain Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Galena Road
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Galena Road
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto North Bridge Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North Bridge Street
6
Continue on US 30; IL 47
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
US 30; IL 47
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward IL 56 East: Chicago
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto IL 56
25 mi
·
30 min
·
IL 56
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Eisenhower Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
13
Merge onto I 90; I 94
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Union Avenue
16
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
17
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
18
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
19
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
20
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.7 mi from Sandwich, IL · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.7 miles from Sandwich, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.91 one way
$19.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.88 | $21.77 |
| premium | $4.89 | $12.20 | $24.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.00 | $28.00 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.36
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(6 mi)
$0.36
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$0
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19 | 0 | $6.66 | $3.04 |
| Efficient EV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.55 | $2.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.4 | 0 | $8.88 | $4.06 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Night in Chicago on Friday
Local time
9:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
51°F
Aurora, IL
32 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 28m 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 Sandwich, IL to Chicago, IL covers 63.4 miles and takes about 1h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IL 56, Eisenhower Expressway, East Church Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.7 miles from Sandwich, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.91 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 63.4 miles you will encounter 17 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 (US 34 / East Church Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.2 miles (Eldamain Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles (Galena Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sandwich, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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