Origin
Union Grove, IL
Night in Union Grove on Sunday
Local time
9:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Union Grove, IL to Chicago, IL
Drive Time
2h 43m
Distance
134.9 mi
217 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 33m
★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 5m
10 AM
2h 51m
12 PM
2h 49m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 4m
8 PM
2h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union Grove, IL
Ali Soheil
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Union Grove to Chicago, expect a journey covering 134.8 miles. This trip typically takes about 2 hours and 21 minutes, making it a straightforward day trip that does not require an overnight stay. Since the route is entirely within the Midwest, you will remain in a familiar regional landscape for the duration of the drive. Budget approximately $20 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Because this is a relatively short excursion, it offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule, allowing you to complete the transit in a single morning or afternoon.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
67.5 miles from Union Grove, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route lacks high-speed highway stretches, meaning you will spend 0% of your time on major interstates. You will navigate local roads for the entirety of the 134.8-mile journey. Be ready for a technical drive that requires frequent adjustments, as the nature of these local paths makes for a much more involved experience than cruising on a wide-open freeway.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 97 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 134.9 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 14.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 113.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
14.6 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 88 East: Dixon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 88 East: Dixon
6
113.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
132.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
7
133.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m 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
134.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
|
West Cermak Road
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 97 mi | 1h 48m |
| Eisenhower Expressway | 13.2 mi | 18m |
| Lincoln Road | 11.6 mi | 16m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 7.2 mi | 7m |
| East Lincoln Way | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| West Lincolnway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Hillside Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
— 97 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union Grove, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on Ward Road
57 ft
·
7 sec
·
Ward Road
2
Turn left onto Hillside Road
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Hillside Road
3
Turn left onto US 30
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Lincoln Road
4
Continue on US 30; IL 78
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Lincoln Way
5
Continue on US 30; IL 78
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Lincolnway
6
Continue on US 30
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Lincoln Way
7
Continue on US 30
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
Lincoln Road
8
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
this road
9
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
this road
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 88 East: Dixon
11
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
12
Continue on I 88; IL 110
91 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 88; IL 110
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 290; IL 110
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Eisenhower Expressway
Use the none lane.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
Use the none lane.
17
Merge onto I 90; I 94
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Union Avenue
20
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
21
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
22
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
23
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
24
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since there are no planned stops on this 2-hour and 21-minute route, ensure you are fueled up and ready to go before you depart Union Grove. Given the turn-heavy nature of the roads, it is wise to leave during daylight hours to maintain better visibility of the path ahead. Keep your navigation system running, as the lack of major highways means you will be making numerous turns throughout the trip. Because the total fuel cost is a modest $20, this is an economical way to reach Chicago. Use the flexibility of this short trip to choose a departure time that helps you avoid the heaviest local traffic patterns as you approach the city.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.5 miles from Union Grove, IL, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.5 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 9m
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 Union Grove, 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 Union Grove, IL
This is one driving day of about 134.9 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Union Grove, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for about 97 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.5 mi from Union Grove, IL · 1h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 67.5 miles from Union Grove, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.49 one way
$40.98 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $22.59 | $45.18 |
| premium | $4.80 | $25.47 | $50.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.97 | $59.94 |
Estimated Tolls: $5.82
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(97 mi)
$5.82
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Tolls
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.16 | $6.48 |
| Efficient EV | 33.7 | 0 | $11.80 | $5.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54 | 0 | $18.89 | $8.63 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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 Sunday
Local time
9:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
46°F
Aurora, IL
67 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
3 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
2h 43m 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 Union Grove, IL to Chicago, IL covers 134.9 miles and takes about 2h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway, Eisenhower Expressway, Lincoln Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.5 miles from Union Grove, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.49 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 134.9 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 14.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 113.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Union Grove, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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