How far is Chicago, IL from Clifton, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Clifton, IL is about 73.2 miles (117.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 64.9 miles (104.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
73.22 mi
01h 28m
Flight
64.9 mi
104.44 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chicago.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
64.9 mi
Kilometers
104.44 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
73.22 mi
Kilometers
117.84 km
Drive Time
01h 28m

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 01h 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clifton
Sun, May 3, 11:12 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Sun, May 3, 12:41 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-05-03T09:43
Arrive Clifton
Sun, May 3, 11:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:29 AM to 11:29 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chicago
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Monee
IL

City in Illinois, United States of America

From Chicago
36.7 mi
00h 44m
To Clifton
36.6 mi
00h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
42°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Sun, May 3 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW
Destination
65°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    61.8 mi · 1 hr 11 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Clifton

    1369 ft · 50 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto East 2900 North Road

    1307 ft · 28 sec · East 2900 North Road

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn right onto South Main Street

    2460 ft · 49 sec · South Main Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
62.1 mi · 85%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 12%
Dan Ryan Expressway
0.74 mi · 1%
South Main Street
0.47 mi · 1%
East 2900 North Road
0.25 mi
West Cermak Road
0.18 mi
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

61.8 mi · 01h 11m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 28m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.3 mi
64.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monee
00h 44m from Chicago
Leave By
3:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Chicago and Chance Rain Showers near Clifton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 73.2 miles (117.8 km) and usually takes 01h 28m 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?

Monee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.7 miles from Chicago and 36.6 miles from Clifton.

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

The direct path is about 64.9 miles (104.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 3:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.73 one way or $19.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Chicago and Chance Rain Showers near Clifton.

Stop Ideas Near Monee

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

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

RAIL

Homewood

17 mi away
18015 Park Ave.
RAIL

Dyer station

21 mi away
913 Sheffield Avenue
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

30 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Kankakee

35 mi away
199 South East Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Clifton. Straight-line distance: 64.9 mi (104.44 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 Clifton

Village in Chebanse Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, USA

Population1,297
Coordinates40.9353100, -87.9344900
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Clifton (-87.93449, 40.93531)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 118 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.58 gal
9.78 L · about $9.73
Round trip
$19.46
5.16 gal · 19.56 L
Estimated CO2
22.9 kg one way
Round trip: 45.9 kg / 101 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.73 $19.46
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.97 $21.95
Premium $4.65 $12.01 $24.01
Diesel $5.30 $13.68 $27.37

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 · May 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Chicago and Clifton. The current time is 09:43:53.

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.