How far is Chicago, IL from Galesburg, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Galesburg, IL is about 195.5 miles (314.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 154.2 miles (248.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 26m 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 43m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Galesburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Galesburg.
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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
35.2 mi · 45 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa
1.3 km · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
115.1 mi · 2 hr 3 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 West, I 280 West: Moline, Rock Island
2553 ft · 31 sec
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 East: Peoria
1427 ft · 49 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
158 m · 6 sec · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
34 mi · 36 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Galesburg, East Galesburg
549 ft · 13 sec
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Galesburg, East Galesburg
64 m · 5 sec
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20
Turn straight onto East Main Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
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21
Enter the roundabout toward Public Square
69 m · 4 sec · Public Square
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Public Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Galesburg.
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 80 West
Merge slight left
115 mi · 02h 03m
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.
Sunny leaving Chicago and Sunny near Galesburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Galesburg?
The road trip is about 195.5 miles (314.7 km) and usually takes 03h 43m 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?
Dalzell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.6 miles from Chicago and 97.9 miles from Galesburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 154.2 miles (248.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.02 one way or $52.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chicago and Sunny near Galesburg.
Stop Ideas Near Dalzell
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 Dalzell.
Mendota station
Princeton
Plano
Kewanee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Galesburg. Straight-line distance: 154.19 mi (248.14 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 Galesburg
County seat of Knox County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 29,803 |
| Coordinates | 40.9478200, -90.3712400 |
| Altitude | 235 |
| Country | United States |
End: Galesburg (-90.37124, 40.94782)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 315 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.02 | $52.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.35 | $58.69 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.11 | $64.23 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.60 | $73.20 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.