Origin
Summit, IL
Afternoon in Summit on Sunday
Local time
4:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Summit, IL to Chicago, IL
Drive Time
5h 34m
Distance
292.9 mi
471 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 21m
★
6 AM
5h 34m
8 AM
6h 1m
10 AM
5h 44m
12 PM
5h 41m
3 PM
5h 45m
5 PM
6h 0m
8 PM
5h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Summit, IL
Rodrigo Contreras Elvira
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Summit to Chicago, expect a 292.9-mile journey that takes approximately 5 hours and 34 minutes to complete. This route keeps you within the Midwest region, specifically traveling across Illinois. With a manageable duration, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $44 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since the route involves only one planned stop, you can plan on a mostly continuous drive. It is a practical option for travelers seeking a direct path between these two Illinois locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
146.5 miles from Summit, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies on local roads like Route 161 and Saint Clair Avenue, supplemented by sections of I-55 North. Because the highway share is 0%, you should anticipate a more technical experience rather than high-speed cruising. There is no long-distance, uninterrupted stretch on Route 161, so expect frequent adjustments to your speed and steering. The character of the road is defined by its local navigation, providing a hands-on driving experience as you transition through the Illinois landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 275.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 55 and IL 157. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.8 miles in near I 55.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 292.9 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 18.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.1 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.
8
18.8 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springf...
8
156.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
|
I 55
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55 toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
8
290.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m 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
290.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Damen Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Damen Avenue
9
290.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 28m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Summit, IL and Chicago, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
Springfield
18.8 mi in
|
~27m
|
via I 55
Kansas City
18.8 mi in
|
~27m
|
via I 55
Peoria
156.1 mi in
|
~2h 55m
|
via I 55
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 55 | 275.4 mi | 5h 4m |
| IL 157 | 6 mi | 9m |
| Illinois Route 161 | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Stevenson Expressway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Damen Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Blue Island Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Saint Clair Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 55
— 275.4 mi, about 5h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Summit, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on Hanna Drive
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Hanna Drive
2
Turn right onto IL 161
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Illinois Route 161
3
At end of road, turn left onto Saint Clair Avenue
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Saint Clair Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
5
Turn straight onto IL 157
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
IL 157
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Chicago, Indianapolis
7
Merge onto I 55; I 70; US 40
7.8 mi
·
8 min
·
I 55; I 70; US 40
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
108 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 55
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 55
130 mi
·
2 hr 27 min
·
I 55
Toward I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on I 55
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Stevenson Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 290
Toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Damen Avenue
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
440 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Damen Avenue
16
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Blue Island Avenue
Use the none lane.
17
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
18
Turn right
152 ft
·
11 sec
19
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, try to depart early in the day to avoid navigating local intersections during peak traffic hours. Since you have just one planned stop, use that break strategically to stretch and refuel your vehicle, keeping your $44 fuel budget in mind. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the lack of long highway stretches allows you to adjust your pace easily if you encounter unexpected road conditions. Watch your navigation closely on Route 161, as the constant turns require more focus than a typical highway drive. Keeping a consistent eye on your route guidance will help you navigate the local roads efficiently without unnecessary detours.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 146.5 miles from Summit, IL, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 275.4 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.5 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 30m
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 Summit, 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 Summit, IL
This is one driving day of about 292.9 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Summit, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 55 for about 275.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 146.5 mi from Summit, IL · 2h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
146 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 146.5 miles from Summit, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 275.4 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.49 one way
$88.98 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $49.04 | $98.09 |
| premium | $4.80 | $55.29 | $110.59 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $65.07 | $130.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.9 | 1 | $30.75 | $14.06 |
| Efficient EV | 73.2 | 0 | $25.63 | $11.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 117.2 | 1 | $41.01 | $18.75 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Afternoon in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
4:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
53°F
Bloomington, IL
146 mi in
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
24 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
5h 34m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Summit, IL to Chicago, IL covers 292.9 miles and takes about 5h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 55, IL 157, Illinois Route 161. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 146.5 miles from Summit, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 292.9 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 18.8 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.1 miles (I 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Summit, IL and Chicago, IL, road signs point toward Springfield, Kansas City and Peoria.
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