How far is Chicago, IL from Freeburg, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Freeburg, IL is about 301.7 miles (485.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 265 miles (426.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 37m 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
301.73 mi
05h 48m
Flight
264.95 mi
426.4 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
264.95 mi
Kilometers
426.4 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
301.73 mi
Kilometers
485.58 km
Drive Time
05h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Freeburg
Thu, Apr 23, 7:59 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 1:47 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-23T02:10
Arrive Freeburg
Thu, Apr 23, 7:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:49 AM to 1:49 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:22 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
McLean
IL

Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From Chicago
150.9 mi
02h 54m
To Freeburg
150.8 mi
02h 54m

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
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 right to continue on I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive

    1820 ft · 44 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: St Louis

    2604 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Stevenson Expressway

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Stevenson Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue on Adlai E Stevenson Expressway

    1739 ft · 27 sec · Adlai E Stevenson Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    128.7 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    77.9 mi · 1 hr 24 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 159 South: Collinsville

    1434 ft · 48 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on Vandalia Street

    3 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street

  16. 16

    Continue on South Morrison Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on North Illinois Street

    9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street

    55 m · 5 sec · South Illinois Street

  19. 19

    Exit the rotary onto South Illinois Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · South Illinois Street

  20. 20

    Take the ramp left

    945 ft · 23 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    7 mi · 10 min

  22. 22

    Turn right onto West Saint Clair Street

    1364 ft · 1 min · West Saint Clair Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    7 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
24 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 South
143 mi · 47%
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
129 mi · 43%
North Illinois Street
9.76 mi · 3%
South Illinois Street
8.33 mi · 3%
Stevenson Expressway
5.61 mi · 2%
Vandalia Street
2.97 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
05h 48m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.7 mi
265 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
McLean
02h 54m from Chicago
Leave By
5:22 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Freeburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 301.7 miles (485.6 km) and usually takes 05h 48m 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?

McLean is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150.9 miles from Chicago and 150.8 miles from Freeburg.

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

The direct path is about 265 miles (426.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.7 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 5:22 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.16 one way or $80.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near McLean

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around McLean and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 2.3 mi away

Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!

Atlanta , IL
865 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Tourist attraction
City of Lincoln
Meeting point 13.3 mi away

City of Lincoln

Lincoln , IL
700 Broadway St, Lincoln, IL 62656
Rating 3.8/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McLean.

RAIL

Lincoln

25 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Uptown Station

27 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

59 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway
RAIL

Springfield station

70 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Freeburg. Straight-line distance: 264.95 mi (426.4 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
Freeburg

#2 Freeburg

City in Illinois, United States of America

Population4,223
Coordinates38.4275500, -89.9137100
Altitude155
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Freeburg (-89.91371, 38.42755)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 486 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.65 gal
40.3 L · about $40.16
Round trip
$80.32
21.3 gal · 80.6 L
Estimated CO2
94.6 kg one way
Round trip: 189.3 kg / 417 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $40.16 $80.32
Mid-grade $4.25 $45.29 $90.59
Premium $4.65 $49.57 $99.13
Diesel $5.30 $56.49 $112.98

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 Freeburg. The current time is 02:10:40.

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.