How far is Channel Lake, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Channel Lake, IL to Chicago, IL is about 60.5 miles (97.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 50.1 miles (80.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 39m 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 19m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Channel Lake and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Channel Lake and Chicago.
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1
Start on the route
23 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn left onto West IL Route 173
10.1 mi · 15 min · West IL Route 173
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3
Turn right onto North Skokie Highway
17.7 mi · 21 min · North Skokie Highway
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4
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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5
Continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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6
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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7
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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8
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street
1398 ft · 34 sec
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10
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
963 ft · 30 sec · South Union Avenue
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11
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
154 m · 13 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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12
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
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13
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
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14
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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15
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Channel Lake 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.
North Skokie Highway
Turn right onto North Skokie Highway
17.7 mi · 00h 21m
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.
Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers leaving Channel Lake and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Channel Lake to Chicago?
The road trip is about 60.5 miles (97.4 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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?
Highwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.3 miles from Channel Lake and 31.2 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 50.1 miles (80.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 3:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.03 one way or $16.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers around Channel Lake and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Highwood
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 Highwood.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Channel Lake and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 50.09 mi (80.62 km).
#1 Channel Lake
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,664 |
| Coordinates | 42.4786300, -88.1375900 |
| Altitude | 227 |
| 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: 97 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $8.03 | $16.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $9.06 | $18.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.91 | $19.83 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $11.30 | $22.60 |
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.