How far is Chicago, IL from Akron, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Akron, IL is about 155.2 miles (249.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 122.7 miles (197.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
155.19 mi
03h 10m
Flight
122.75 mi
197.54 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chicago.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
122.75 mi
Kilometers
197.54 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
155.19 mi
Kilometers
249.76 km
Drive Time
03h 10m

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 03h 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Akron
Thu, Apr 23, 12:35 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 3:46 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-22T21:24
Arrive Akron
Thu, Apr 23, 12:35 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:11 AM to 11:11 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:38 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chicago
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Ottawa
IL

City in Illinois, United States

From Chicago
77.5 mi
01h 35m
To Akron
77.7 mi
01h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE
Destination
78°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Akron.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Akron.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    943 ft · 1 min

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Cermak Road

    947 ft · 26 sec · West Cermak Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Halsted Street

    737 ft · 17 sec · South Halsted Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue

    87 m · 6 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn slight right

    34 m · 5 sec

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East, I 94 East

    139 m · 11 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive

    1820 ft · 44 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: St Louis

    2604 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Stevenson Expressway

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Stevenson Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue on Adlai E Stevenson Expressway

    1739 ft · 27 sec · Adlai E Stevenson Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    35.2 mi · 45 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa

    1.3 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    64.2 mi · 1 hr 9 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 180 South: Hennepin

    1 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    8.7 mi · 9 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on Peoria

    2.1 mi · 2 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    24.5 mi · 29 min

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West Truitt Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · West Truitt Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Truitt Road

    6.6 mi · 12 min · Truitt Road

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North State Route 40

    2 mi · 4 min · North State Route 40

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Akron Road

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Akron Road

  22. 22

    Turn right onto North Elevator Road

    1026 ft · 45 sec · North Elevator Road

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Elevator Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Akron.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
65.1 mi · 42%
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
35.2 mi · 23%
Peoria
26.6 mi · 17%
I 180 South
9.7 mi · 6%
Truitt Road
6.62 mi · 4%
Stevenson Expressway
5.61 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Merge slight left

64.2 mi · 01h 09m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.5 mi
122.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ottawa
01h 35m from Chicago
Leave By
10:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Akron.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Akron?

The road trip is about 155.2 miles (249.8 km) and usually takes 03h 10m 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?

Ottawa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.5 miles from Chicago and 77.7 miles from Akron.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 122.7 miles (197.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.5 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 10:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.67 one way or $41.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Akron.

Stop Ideas Near Ottawa

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Ottawa, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ottawa.

RAIL

Mendota station

32 mi away
783 Main Street
RAIL

Plano

43 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Dwight station

45 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Princeton

52 mi away
107 Bicentennial Dr.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Akron. Straight-line distance: 122.75 mi (197.54 km).

Chicago

#1 Chicago

The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.

Population2,677,643
Coordinates41.850033, -87.6500523
Altitude179
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Akron

City in United States of America

Population1,023
Coordinates40.9039300, -89.6539900
Altitude220
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Akron (-89.65399, 40.90393)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 250 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.48 gal
20.73 L · about $20.67
Round trip
$41.33
10.96 gal · 41.46 L
Estimated CO2
48.7 kg one way
Round trip: 97.4 kg / 215 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.67 $41.33
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.31 $46.61
Premium $4.65 $25.50 $51.01
Diesel $5.30 $29.07 $58.13

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

There is no time difference between Chicago and Akron. The current time is 21:24:54.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.