How far is Chicago, IL from Fairfield, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Fairfield, IL is about 268.6 miles (432.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 242.8 miles (390.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 44m 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 22m.
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.
The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Fairfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Fairfield.
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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
6.4 mi · 10 min · County Road 1600E
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24
Turn left onto South 1st Street
18 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Fairfield.
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.
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Fairfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Fairfield?
The road trip is about 268.6 miles (432.2 km) and usually takes 05h 22m 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?
Champaign is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.4 miles from Chicago and 134.2 miles from Fairfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 242.8 miles (390.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.8 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 6:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.75 one way or $71.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Fairfield.
Stop Ideas Near Champaign
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 Champaign.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Fairfield. Straight-line distance: 242.74 mi (390.65 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 Fairfield
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 4,889 |
| Coordinates | 38.3789400, -88.3597700 |
| Altitude | 134 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fairfield (-88.35977, 38.37894)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 432 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.75 | $71.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $40.32 | $80.64 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $44.12 | $88.24 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $50.28 | $100.56 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.