Origin
University Park, IL
Morning in University Park on Thursday
Local time
7:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from University Park, IL to Chicago, IL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
35m
Distance
22 mi
35 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
University Park, IL
Quang Vuong
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
Traveling from University Park to Chicago covers a quick 22.7-mile distance, typically taking about 30 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is entirely local, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics or complex trip planning. With a fuel cost estimate of just $3, it is an incredibly economical way to reach the city from the southern suburbs. You will be traveling strictly within the Illinois Midwest region, keeping the transition straightforward and familiar. This route works perfectly as a simple day trip, offering you the flexibility to head into the city and return whenever your schedule allows.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 35m. Total distance: 22 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You will spend 0% of your time on highways, navigating instead via California Avenue, Sussex Avenue, and Richmond Avenue. Because the longest stretch of road is essentially 0 miles on California Avenue, you should prepare for frequent turns and constant attention to local street navigation. The personality of this drive is strictly urban and suburban, lacking the monotony of long-distance highway travel. It is a practical, functional commute that keeps you off the major expressways for the duration of the 30-minute trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 57 is the longest continuous segment at about 8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and Dan Ryan Expressway (Express). This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near California Avenue.
Route Complexity
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 22 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 35m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (California Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
California Avenue
Turn left onto California Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
2.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward I 57 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
7
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 57 North: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
6
14.8 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 / Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Roa...
8
21 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
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 53A
Toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 57 | 8 mi | 10m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway (Express) | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Dan Ryan Expressway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Tri-State Tollway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West 159th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Richmond Avenue | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Sussex Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 8 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between University Park, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on Lancaster Drive
130 ft
·
11 sec
·
Lancaster Drive
2
Turn left onto California Avenue
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
California Avenue
3
Continue on Sussex Avenue
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Sussex Avenue
4
Turn right onto Richmond Avenue
279 ft
·
12 sec
·
Richmond Avenue
5
Continue on Richmond Avenue
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Richmond Avenue
6
Turn right onto US 6
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
West 159th Street
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
9
Merge onto I 294
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Tri-State Tollway
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 7
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 57 North: Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 57
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 94
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: Pershing Road
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 53A
Toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
243 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Ruble Street
17
Turn slight left
75 ft
·
4 sec
18
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
0.2 mi
·
26 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
21
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
22
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.44 one way
$6.88 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $3.78 | $7.55 |
| premium | $4.89 | $4.23 | $8.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.86 | $9.71 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.03
Tri-state Tollway
(0.5 mi)
$0.03
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Tolls
$0
Total
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.31 | $1.06 |
| Efficient EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.92 | $0.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.08 | $1.41 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Morning in Chicago on Thursday
Local time
7:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph
75% chance
Live forecast
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
11 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
35m 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 University Park, IL to Chicago, IL covers 22 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 57, Dan Ryan Expressway (Express), Dan Ryan Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11 miles from University Park, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.44 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 short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 22 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 35m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (California Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from University Park, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Chicago, IL
More from University Park, IL
More trips to Chicago, IL
Explore more options from University Park, IL or browse trips ending in Chicago, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for University Park, IL or Chicago, IL on MapSof.net.