Origin
Serena, IL
Late night in Serena on Wednesday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Serena, IL to Chicago, IL
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
67.1 mi
108 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 31m
★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 43m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Serena, IL
Mike Tyurin
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
If you are looking to head from the quiet fields of Serena to the bustling streets of Chicago, you are in for a 69.6-mile journey. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 23 minutes behind the wheel for this Midwestern transition. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a simple day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With fuel costs estimated at around $10, it is an affordable way to reach the city. While the route is straightforward, keep in mind that you will be navigating local roads rather than relying on a high-speed interstate corridor. This drive is ideal if you prefer a direct, local approach to your travel rather than a major highway haul.
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
33.5 miles from Serena, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged throughout the entire 69.6-mile distance. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route avoids highways entirely, meaning you will experience a 0% highway share as you navigate between your starting point and the city. You won't find any long, uninterrupted stretches here, so be ready to adjust your speed and focus frequently. The character of the road is defined by its local nature, requiring you to stay attentive to changing road conditions as you move toward your destination. It is a practical path that trades high-speed efficiency for a more hands-on, turn-by-turn driving experience.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 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 4.5 miles in near IL 71.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 67.1 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 4.5 miles (IL 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.9 miles (Walker Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
IL 71
Turn left onto IL 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
12.9 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
Walker Road
Turn right onto Walker Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
64.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m 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
64.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m 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
64.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m 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 |
| IL 71 | 8.4 mi | 12m |
| West Lockport Road | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| North 38th Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Stevenson Expressway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Schlapp Road | 2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 24.9 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Serena, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on North 3806th Road
281 ft
·
14 sec
·
North 3806th Road
2
Turn right onto East 2288th Road
365 ft
·
21 sec
·
East 2288th Road
3
Turn left onto US 52
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
North 38th Road
4
Turn left onto IL 71
8.4 mi
·
12 min
·
IL 71
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn right onto Walker Road
12 mi
·
16 min
·
Walker Road
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto Schlapp Road
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Schlapp Road
7
Turn right onto IL 126
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
West Lockport Road
8
Continue on West Lockport Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Lockport Street
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto West Main Street
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 55 North
11
Merge onto I 55
25 mi
·
33 min
·
I 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Damen Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Damen Avenue
17
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Blue Island Avenue
18
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cermak Road
19
Turn right
152 ft
·
11 sec
20
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 1 hour and 23-minute drive is quite manageable, you have significant flexibility with your departure time. You can easily complete the trip without needing to plan for formal rest stops, though it is always smart to ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Serena. Because you are traveling on local roads, stay mindful of changing speed limits and local traffic patterns as you approach Chicago. The absence of a long, sustained highway stretch means you should factor in a little extra time for potential local congestion. One concrete tip: keep your GPS active and ready, as the turn-heavy nature of this route makes it easy to miss a junction if you aren't paying close attention to your navigation.
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 33.5 miles from Serena, IL, or about 49m 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 67.1 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.5 miles or 49m 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 21m
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 Serena, 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 Serena, IL
This is one driving day of about 67.1 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Serena, 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 33.5 mi from Serena, IL · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 67.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.5 miles from Serena, 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
$10.49 one way
$20.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $11.52 | $23.04 |
| premium | $4.89 | $12.91 | $25.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.81 | $29.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.05 | $3.22 |
| Efficient EV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.87 | $2.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.39 | $4.29 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Late night in Chicago on Wednesday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph
75% chance
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
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 37m 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 Serena, IL to Chicago, IL covers 67.1 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, Walker Road, IL 71. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.5 miles from Serena, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.49 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 14 significant decision points across 67.1 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 4.5 miles (IL 71): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.9 miles (Walker Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 64.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Serena, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Chicago, IL
More trips to Chicago, IL
Explore more options from Serena, IL or browse trips ending in Chicago, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Serena, IL or Chicago, IL on MapSof.net.