Origin
Zion, IL
Afternoon in Zion on Sunday
Local time
4:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Zion, IL to Chicago, IL
Drive Time
1h 8m
Distance
48.6 mi
78 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 3m
★
6 AM
1h 8m
8 AM
1h 19m
10 AM
1h 12m
12 PM
1h 11m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Zion, IL
Amit Shubinsky
Chicago, IL
Otoniel Alvarado
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head south from Zion to Chicago, you are looking at a manageable 48.6-mile trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 8 minutes. Since this journey stays entirely within the Midwest, you will find the transition between these Illinois points straightforward. With a fuel cost estimate of just $7, it is an incredibly budget-friendly excursion that works perfectly as a single-day trip. You will spend your time navigating a mix of the North Skokie Highway, the Edens Expressway, and the Kennedy Expressway. Because the duration is so short, there is no need for an overnight stay, giving you plenty of flexibility to plan your schedule around city traffic rather than travel fatigue.
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
24.3 miles from Zion, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route offers a distinct mixed-drive profile that transitions from suburban corridors into the denser flow of the city. You will spend 58% of your time on highways, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 13.7-mile segment on the Edens Expressway, which serves as the primary artery for your progress. Expect the personality of the road to shift as you leave the quieter stretches of Zion and merge onto the busier Kennedy Expressway. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic detours.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Edens Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 13.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near IL 137 / Sheridan Road.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (IL 137 / Sheridan Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles (IL 137): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles (IL 137 / Buckley Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IL 137 / Sheridan Road
Turn right onto IL 137 / Sheridan Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
IL 137
Take the ramp onto IL 137 toward IL 137
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward IL 137
6
10.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
IL 137 / Buckley Road
Turn right onto IL 137 / Buckley Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / none lanes.
7
47.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m 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
48.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
West Cermak Road
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Edens Expressway | 13.7 mi | 17m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| North Skokie Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| IL 137 | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| Sheridan Road | 4.3 mi | 8m |
| Skokie Highway | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Skokie Valley Road | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Buckley Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Edens Expressway
— 13.7 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Zion, IL and Chicago, IL.
1
Start on 27th Street
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
27th Street
2
Turn right onto IL 137
4.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Sheridan Road
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto IL 137
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Greenwood Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp onto IL 137
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
IL 137
Toward IL 137
Use the right lane.
5
Turn right onto IL 137
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Buckley Road
Use the left / none lanes.
6
Turn left onto US 41
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
North Skokie Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 41
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Skokie Valley Road
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on US 41
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Skokie Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 94; US 41
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Edens Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 90; I 94
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Kennedy Expressway
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on I 90; I 94
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Dan Ryan Expressway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 52C
Toward 18th Street
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Union Avenue
14
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
505 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Canalport Avenue
15
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Halsted Street
16
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Cermak Road
Use the none lane.
17
Turn left
152 ft
·
11 sec
18
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever works best for your personal itinerary. However, keep in mind that the Kennedy and Edens Expressways are major thoroughfares where traffic volume can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of day. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way since the drive is just over an hour, but keep that $7 fuel budget in mind when filling up before you leave. Since you are navigating major expressways, stay alert for lane changes as you approach the city center. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by heading out during off-peak hours to ensure your commute remains as smooth as possible.
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 24.3 miles from Zion, IL, or about 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.7 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 48.6 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.3 miles or 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 56m
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 Zion, 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 Zion, IL
This is one driving day of about 48.6 miles and 1h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Zion, 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 Edens Expressway for about 13.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.3 mi from Zion, IL · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 48.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.3 miles from Zion, 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
$7.38 one way
$14.76 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $8.14 | $16.28 |
| premium | $4.80 | $9.17 | $18.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.80 | $21.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.10 | $2.33 |
| Efficient EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.25 | $1.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.80 | $3.11 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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
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
4 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 8m 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 Zion, IL to Chicago, IL covers 48.6 miles and takes about 1h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Edens Expressway, Kennedy Expressway, North Skokie Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.3 miles from Zion, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.38 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (IL 137 / Sheridan Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5 miles (IL 137): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles (IL 137 / Buckley Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Zion, IL to Chicago, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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