How far is Adams, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Adams, IL to Chicago, IL is about 299.1 miles (481.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 230.6 miles (371.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 47m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Adams and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Adams and Chicago.
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1
Start on County Road 735N
99 m · 16 sec · County Road 735N
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2
Turn right onto County Road 1635E
99 m · 17 sec · County Road 1635E
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3
Turn left onto County Road 38
1 km · 3 min · County Road 38
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4
Turn right onto East 1700th Street
4.2 mi · 16 min · East 1700th Street
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5
Continue on North Avenue
1.1 mi · 4 min · North Avenue
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Foster Avenue
98 m · 6 sec · South Foster Avenue
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7
Continue on South Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Avenue
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8
Continue on Illinois Route 96
2.8 mi · 5 min · Illinois Route 96
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9
Take the ramp slight left
1777 ft · 44 sec
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10
Merge slight left
101 mi · 1 hr 49 min
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11
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 22 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
130.4 mi · 2 hr 27 min
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14
Continue on Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Stevenson Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
912 ft · 24 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Damen Avenue
1372 ft · 34 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
134 m · 13 sec
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18
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South Damen Avenue
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19
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
2973 ft · 2 min · South Blue Island Avenue
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20
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Cermak Road
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21
Turn right
46 m · 11 sec
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22
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Adams and Chicago.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
130 mi · 02h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Adams and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Adams to Chicago?
The road trip is about 299.1 miles (481.3 km) and usually takes 04h 47m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
McLean is a useful midpoint, sitting about 149.3 miles from Adams and 149.8 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 230.6 miles (371.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 68.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.78 one way or $79.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Adams and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near McLean
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McLean.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Springfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Adams and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 230.58 mi (371.09 km).
#1 Adams
Civil town in Adams County, Wisconsin
| Population | 1,536 |
| Coordinates | 39.8653200, -91.1982000 |
| Altitude | 235 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chicago
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,677,643 |
| Coordinates | 41.850033, -87.6500523 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 481 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.78 | $79.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.87 | $89.74 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.10 | $98.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $55.96 | $111.91 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.