How far is Chicago, IL from Bruce, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Bruce, IL is about 195.1 miles (314 km), with a travel time of about 03h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 168.5 miles (271.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 47m 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
195.09 mi
03h 53m
Flight
168.49 mi
271.16 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
168.49 mi
Kilometers
271.16 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
195.09 mi
Kilometers
313.97 km
Drive Time
03h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bruce
Thu, Apr 23, 8:00 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 11:54 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-23T04:06
Arrive Bruce
Thu, Apr 23, 8:00 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:54 AM to 11:54 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
9:12 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
Buckley
IL

Human settlement in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America

From Chicago
97.6 mi
01h 56m
To Bruce
97.5 mi
01h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
78°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 left to continue on I 90, I 94 East: Indiana

    929 ft · 23 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway

    1.2 km · 48 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

    168.6 mi · 3 hr 6 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 16 West: Mattoon

    2489 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Charleston Avenue East

    2.8 mi · 6 min · Charleston Avenue East

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South 19th Street

    2731 ft · 60 sec · South 19th Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Dewitt Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Dewitt Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Route 121

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Route 121

  16. 16

    Turn left onto 1000N

    156 m · 14 sec · 1000N

  17. 17

    Continue on County Highway 4

    6.6 mi · 16 min · County Highway 4

  18. 18

    Turn left

    691 ft · 30 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
169 mi · 86%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 5%
County Highway 4
6.59 mi · 3%
Route 121
3.53 mi · 2%
Charleston Avenue East
2.75 mi · 1%
Dewitt Avenue
2.04 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

169 mi · 03h 06m

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 53m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.6 mi
168.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buckley
01h 56m from Chicago
Leave By
9:12 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Sunny near Bruce.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 195.1 miles (314 km) and usually takes 03h 53m 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?

Buckley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.6 miles from Chicago and 97.5 miles from Bruce.

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

The direct path is about 168.5 miles (271.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.6 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 9:12 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.94 one way or $51.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Buckley

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Buckley, 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 Buckley.

RAIL

Gilman

19 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Rantoul

33 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
RAIL

Illinois Terminal

56 mi away
45 East University Ave.
RAIL

Pontiac station

59 mi away
721 West Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Bruce. Straight-line distance: 168.49 mi (271.16 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 Bruce

Unincorporated community in Illinois

Population12,209
Coordinates39.5189200, -88.5945000
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Bruce (-88.5945, 39.51892)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 314 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.88 gal
26.06 L · about $25.94
Round trip
$51.89
13.76 gal · 52.12 L
Estimated CO2
61.1 kg one way
Round trip: 122.3 kg / 270 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.94 $51.89
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.26 $58.52
Premium $4.65 $32.02 $64.04
Diesel $5.30 $36.49 $72.98

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 Bruce. The current time is 04:06:17.

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.