How far is Chicago, IL from Cincinnati, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Cincinnati, IL is about 276.2 miles (444.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 242.6 miles (390.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 16m 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 05h 38m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Cincinnati.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Cincinnati.
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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
195.9 mi · 3 hr 35 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
1753 ft · 35 sec
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12
Turn left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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13
Turn right onto East Fayette Avenue
1123 ft · 33 sec · East Fayette Avenue
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14
Turn left onto South Banker Street
14.9 mi · 22 min · South Banker Street
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15
Continue on County Road 925 East
16.2 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 East
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16
Turn slight left
41 m · 5 sec
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17
Merge slight right
3.9 mi · 4 min
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18
Turn right onto County Road 1400 E
10.4 mi · 16 min · County Road 1400 E
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19
Continue on Central Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Central Street
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20
Continue on County Road 1800N
1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 1800N
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21
Turn straight onto County Road 1600E
4.6 mi · 7 min · County Road 1600E
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22
Continue on Washington Street
1 mi · 2 min · Washington Street
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23
Continue on County Road 1600E
3.9 mi · 6 min · County Road 1600E
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24
Turn sharp right
7.1 mi · 11 min
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25
Turn right onto 900E
2 mi · 5 min · 900E
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26
Turn right onto County Road 1000N
1 mi · 4 min · County Road 1000N
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 1000N
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Cincinnati.
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
196 mi · 03h 35m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cincinnati.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Cincinnati?
The road trip is about 276.2 miles (444.5 km) and usually takes 05h 38m 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?
Savoy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.2 miles from Chicago and 138 miles from Cincinnati.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 242.6 miles (390.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.6 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 5:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.77 one way or $73.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cincinnati.
Stop Ideas Near Savoy
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 Savoy.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Cincinnati. Straight-line distance: 242.62 mi (390.46 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 Cincinnati
Township in Tazewell County, Illinois
| Population | 8,830 |
| Coordinates | 38.4008800, -88.5119900 |
| Altitude | 128 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cincinnati (-88.51199, 38.40088)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 445 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.77 | $73.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.47 | $82.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.38 | $90.75 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $51.71 | $103.43 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.