How far is Chicago, IL from Amboy, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Amboy, IL is about 107.2 miles (172.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87 miles (140 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 27m 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 02h 13m.
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, United States of America
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 Chicago and Amboy.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Amboy.
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1
Start on the route
943 ft · 1 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Cermak Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Cermak Road
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3
Turn right onto South Ashland Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Ashland Avenue
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4
Turn left onto West Van Buren Street
900 ft · 29 sec · West Van Buren Street
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 290 West
650 ft · 16 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Expressway
12.1 mi · 16 min · Eisenhower Expressway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
35.4 mi · 38 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington, Normal
1786 ft · 43 sec
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11
Merge slight left
9.8 mi · 10 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 30: Sterling, Rock Falls, Aurora
2027 ft · 49 sec
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13
Turn right
16.3 mi · 22 min
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14
Turn left
3 mi · 5 min
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15
Turn left onto East Main Street
58 m · 11 sec · East Main Street
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16
Turn left
5 m · 1 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Amboy.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
35.4 mi · 00h 38m
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 Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Amboy.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Amboy?
The road trip is about 107.2 miles (172.6 km) and usually takes 02h 13m 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?
Maple Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.5 miles from Chicago and 53.7 miles from Amboy.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87 miles (140 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.2 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 2:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.25 one way or $28.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Amboy.
Stop Ideas Near Maple Park
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 Maple Park.
Plano
Naperville
Rockford, Illinois
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Amboy. Straight-line distance: 86.99 mi (140 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Amboy
City in Lee County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,841 |
| Coordinates | 41.7142000, -89.3287100 |
| Altitude | 227 |
| Country | United States |
End: Amboy (-89.32871, 41.7142)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 173 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $14.25 | $28.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $16.08 | $32.15 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $17.59 | $35.18 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $20.05 | $40.10 |
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.