How far is Arlington Heights, IL from South Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Arlington Heights, IL to South Chicago, IL is about 38.9 miles (62.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.6 miles (52.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 00m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Macon County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington Heights and South Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights and South Chicago.
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1
Start on East Euclid Avenue
15 m · 6 sec · East Euclid Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North Arlington Heights Road
1948 ft · 1 min · North Arlington Heights Road
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3
Turn left onto East Northwest Highway
4 mi · 6 min · East Northwest Highway
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4
Turn left onto State Street
1013 ft · 29 sec · State Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East Golf Road
49 m · 3 sec · East Golf Road
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6
Exit the roundabout onto East Golf Road
3.7 mi · 6 min · East Golf Road
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7
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue
3.5 mi · 6 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
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8
Turn left onto West Touhy Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · West Touhy Avenue
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9
Turn right onto North Caldwell Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Caldwell Avenue
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10
Take the ramp straight toward I 94 East
1370 ft · 35 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Edens Expressway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Edens Expressway
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12
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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13
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
3.8 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East
2183 ft · 53 sec
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16
Merge slight right onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
2612 ft · 50 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago Skyway
4.5 mi · 7 min · Chicago Skyway
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18
Turn straight onto Chicago Skyway
591 ft · 14 sec · Chicago Skyway
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19
Merge slight left onto Chicago Skyway
1651 ft · 40 sec · Chicago Skyway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Anthony Avenue, 92nd Street
1381 ft · 34 sec
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21
Turn left onto South Anthony Avenue
110 m · 10 sec · South Anthony Avenue
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22
Turn left onto East 92nd Street
1409 ft · 50 sec · East 92nd Street
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23
Turn left onto South Commercial Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South Commercial Avenue
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24
Turn left onto East 86th Street
829 ft · 39 sec · East 86th Street
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25
Turn right
66 m · 16 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington Heights and South 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.
Kennedy Expressway
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.12 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Arlington Heights and Mostly Sunny near South Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington Heights to South Chicago?
The road trip is about 38.9 miles (62.6 km) and usually takes 01h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Austin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.4 miles from Arlington Heights and 19.4 miles from South Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.6 miles (52.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.17 one way or $10.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Arlington Heights and Mostly Sunny near South Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Austin
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Austin.
Chicago Union Station
Summit
La Grange Road
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington Heights and South Chicago. Straight-line distance: 32.57 mi (52.41 km).
#1 Arlington Heights
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States; suburb of Chicago, Illinois
| Population | 75,101 |
| Coordinates | 42.0883600, -87.9806300 |
| Altitude | 214 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Chicago
Former township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 28,095 |
| Coordinates | 41.7397700, -87.5542500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Chicago (-87.55425, 41.73977)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 63 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.17 | $10.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.83 | $11.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.38 | $12.75 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.27 | $14.53 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.