Origin
Washburn, IL
Afternoon in Washburn on Sunday
Local time
4:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Washburn, IL to Chicago, IL
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
132.4 mi
213 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 34m
★
6 AM
2h 45m
8 AM
3h 7m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Washburn, IL
Tom Fisk
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
Traveling from Washburn to Chicago covers approximately 132.5 miles of Illinois landscape. You can expect the journey to take about 2 hours and 15 minutes, making it a straightforward day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Since the route relies on local roads like East State Street, 2160 E Rd, and 700 North Road, budget roughly $20 for fuel to complete the transit. This trek stays entirely within the Midwest, offering a direct connection between the smaller community of Washburn and the urban center of Chicago. It is a practical choice for those who prefer navigating local roads over high-traffic interstates.
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
66.2 miles from Washburn, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate a series of secondary roads that demand your full attention behind the wheel compared to a standard highway haul. Because the path relies on local connectors, the experience is less about high-speed transit and more about steady, tactical driving through the rural Illinois countryside. The road’s personality remains consistent throughout the duration, focusing on surface streets that keep you engaged with the changing environment as you transition toward the city.
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 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 47.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 41.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 132.4 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 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 89.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
41.5 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 59A
Toward I 80 East: Chicago
7
89.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 55 North: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
8
129.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m 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
129.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m 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
130 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m 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 80 | 47.3 mi | 50m |
| I 55 | 36.1 mi | 45m |
| I 39 | 23.2 mi | 24m |
| 700 North Road | 9.2 mi | 13m |
| East State Street | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| Stevenson Expressway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| 2160 E Rd | 3 mi | 5m |
| West Cermak Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 47.3 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washburn, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on IL 89
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
North Jefferson Street
2
Continue on IL 89
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Street
3
Continue on IL 89
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
2160 E Rd
4
Turn right onto 700 North Road
9.2 mi
·
13 min
·
700 North Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
6
Merge onto I 39; US 51
23 mi
·
24 min
·
I 39; US 51
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 59A
Toward I 80 East: Chicago
8
Merge onto I 80
47 mi
·
50 min
·
I 80
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 126B
Toward I 55 North: Chicago
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 55
36 mi
·
45 min
·
I 55
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
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 2 hour and 15 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid potential city congestion. Since there are no scheduled stops in the data, try to handle your fueling needs before heading out, as the $20 estimate assumes a steady pace without significant detours. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the reliance on local roads like 700 North Road means you will encounter frequent turns that require vigilance. Use the lack of designated stops to your advantage by planning your own breaks along the local stretches if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
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 66.2 miles from Washburn, IL, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.2 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 11m
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 Washburn, 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 Washburn, IL
This is one driving day of about 132.4 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Washburn, 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 80 for about 47.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.2 mi from Washburn, IL · 1h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 66.2 miles from Washburn, 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
$20.11 one way
$40.22 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $22.17 | $44.34 |
| premium | $4.80 | $24.99 | $49.99 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.41 | $58.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.7 | 0 | $13.90 | $6.36 |
| Efficient EV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.58 | $5.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53 | 0 | $18.54 | $8.47 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in Chicago on Sunday
Local time
4:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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
3 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
2h 45m 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 Washburn, IL to Chicago, IL covers 132.4 miles and takes about 2h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 55, I 39. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.2 miles from Washburn, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.11 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 13 significant decision points across 132.4 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 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 89.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Washburn, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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