How far is Chicago, IL from Bourbon, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Bourbon, IL is about 164.4 miles (264.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.3 miles (241.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 20m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Iroquois 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 Chicago and Bourbon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Bourbon.
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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 right onto West Cermak Road
947 ft · 26 sec · West Cermak Road
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3
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 17 sec · South Halsted Street
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4
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
87 m · 6 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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5
Turn slight right
34 m · 5 sec
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East, I 94 East
139 m · 11 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 90, I 94 East: Indiana
929 ft · 23 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.2 km · 48 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
138.5 mi · 2 hr 34 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Tolono, Pesotum, Tuscola
1328 ft · 28 sec
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12
Turn straight
8 mi · 12 min
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13
Turn right
825 ft · 30 sec
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14
Turn straight onto County Road 950 North
3.5 mi · 5 min · County Road 950 North
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15
Turn left onto North County Road 590 East
1.6 mi · 6 min · North County Road 590 East
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16
Continue on North County Road 560 East
116 m · 17 sec · North County Road 560 East
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17
Continue on North County Road 540 East
2707 ft · 2 min · North County Road 540 East
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18
Turn right onto County Highway 16
1.1 mi · 4 min · County Highway 16
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19
Continue on North County Road 475 East
1278 ft · 56 sec · North County Road 475 East
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20
Continue on North County Road 490 East
137 m · 21 sec · North County Road 490 East
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21
Continue on County Road 490E
42 m · 6 sec · County Road 490E
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 490E
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Bourbon.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 57 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
138 mi · 02h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Bourbon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Bourbon?
The road trip is about 164.4 miles (264.6 km) and usually takes 03h 20m 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?
Danforth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.3 miles from Chicago and 82.1 miles from Bourbon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.3 miles (241.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.1 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 10:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.87 one way or $43.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Bourbon.
Stop Ideas Near Danforth
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 Danforth.
Gilman
Kankakee
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Bourbon. Straight-line distance: 150.32 mi (241.91 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 Bourbon
Township in Douglas County, Illinois
| Population | 4,061 |
| Coordinates | 39.7455900, -88.3789400 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bourbon (-88.37894, 39.74559)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 265 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.87 | $43.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.67 | $49.33 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.99 | $53.99 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.76 | $61.53 |
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 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.