How far is Chicago, IL from Clear Lake, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Clear Lake, IL is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.8 miles (278.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 34m 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 47m.
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 Livingston County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Clear Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Clear Lake.
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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 right to continue on I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive
1820 ft · 44 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: St Louis
2604 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Stevenson Expressway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Stevenson Expressway
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10
Continue on Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
1739 ft · 27 sec · Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
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11
Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway
128.7 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
57.8 mi · 1 hr 2 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 54 East: Clinton
1706 ft · 58 sec
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14
Turn straight onto East Sangamon Avenue
1137 ft · 22 sec · East Sangamon Avenue
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15
Turn slight right onto Camp Butler Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Camp Butler Road
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16
Continue on South Camp Butler Road
3081 ft · 1 min · South Camp Butler Road
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Route 36
1.4 km · 1 min · Old Route 36
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18
Turn left onto North Dixon Street
600 ft · 26 sec · North Dixon Street
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19
Turn left onto West Houston Street
150 m · 17 sec · West Houston Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Houston Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Clear Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway
129 mi · 02h 26m
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 Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Clear Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Clear Lake?
The road trip is about 197.7 miles (318.2 km) and usually takes 03h 47m 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?
Rooks Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.9 miles from Chicago and 98.9 miles from Clear Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.8 miles (278.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.9 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 9:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.32 one way or $52.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Clear Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Rooks Creek
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 Rooks Creek.
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Uptown Station
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Clear Lake. Straight-line distance: 172.78 mi (278.07 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 Clear Lake
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 220 |
| Coordinates | 39.8136600, -89.5687100 |
| Altitude | 174 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clear Lake (-89.56871, 39.81366)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 318 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.32 | $52.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.69 | $59.37 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.48 | $64.97 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.02 | $74.04 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.