How far is Chicago Heights, IL from Crystal Lake, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago Heights, IL to Crystal Lake, IL is about 76.1 miles (122.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 61.7 miles (99.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 14m 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 37m.
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.
A city in DuPage County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago Heights and Crystal Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago Heights and Crystal Lake.
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1
Start on South Halsted Street
6 m · 8 sec · South Halsted Street
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2
Continue on South Halsted Street
5 mi · 10 min · South Halsted Street
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West, I 294 North: Tri-State Tollway, Iowa, Wisconsin
1382 ft · 55 sec
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4
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West, I 294 North: Iowa, Wisconsin
2462 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.3 km · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
24.3 mi · 30 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
98 m · 8 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.3 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 290 West: Rockford
1.4 km · 2 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Saint Charles Road West
1751 ft · 43 sec
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13
Merge slight left
13.4 mi · 17 min
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14
Keep slight left
2.2 mi · 3 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Kirchoff Road
1873 ft · 50 sec
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16
Turn left onto Kirchoff Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Kirchoff Road
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17
Turn right onto South Plum Grove Road
1.9 mi · 4 min · South Plum Grove Road
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18
Turn left onto West Colfax Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · West Colfax Street
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19
Continue on Sterling Avenue
136 m · 20 sec · Sterling Avenue
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20
Turn left onto West Northwest Highway
15.2 mi · 24 min · West Northwest Highway
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21
Turn right onto South Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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22
Turn left onto East Crystal Lake Avenue
8 m · 1 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago Heights and Crystal Lake.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
24.3 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Chicago Heights and Rain Showers near Crystal Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago Heights to Crystal Lake?
The road trip is about 76.1 miles (122.5 km) and usually takes 01h 37m 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?
Elmhurst is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36 miles from Chicago Heights and 40.2 miles from Crystal Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 61.7 miles (99.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.4 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 3:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.55 one way or $25.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Chicago Heights and Rain Showers near Crystal Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Elmhurst
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 Elmhurst.
La Grange Road
Summit
Glenview station
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago Heights and Crystal Lake. Straight-line distance: 61.68 mi (99.27 km).
#1 Chicago Heights
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 28,990 |
| Coordinates | 41.5061500, -87.6356000 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Crystal Lake
City located in McHenry County, Illinois, USA
| Population | 39,642 |
| Coordinates | 42.2411300, -88.3162000 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Crystal Lake Avenue (-88.316198, 42.241185)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 123 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $12.55 | $25.10 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $14.24 | $28.47 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $15.70 | $31.40 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $17.68 | $35.35 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026