How far is Chicago, IL from Geneseo, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Geneseo, IL is about 151.2 miles (243.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 132.2 miles (212.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m 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
151.19 mi
02h 55m
Flight
132.23 mi
212.81 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
132.23 mi
Kilometers
212.81 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
151.19 mi
Kilometers
243.31 km
Drive Time
02h 55m

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 02h 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Geneseo
Thu, Apr 23, 3:17 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 6:13 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-23T00:22
Arrive Geneseo
Thu, Apr 23, 3:17 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:38 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

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
Ottawa
IL

City in Illinois, United States

From Chicago
75.4 mi
01h 27m
To Geneseo
75.7 mi
01h 27m

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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    35.2 mi · 45 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa

    1.3 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    106.2 mi · 1 hr 54 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 82: Cambridge, Geneseo

    1339 ft · 34 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South Oakwood Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Oakwood Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    27 m · 3 sec · East Main Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
107 mi · 71%
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
35.2 mi · 23%
Stevenson Expressway
5.61 mi · 4%
South Oakwood Avenue
1.18 mi · 1%
I 55 South
0.49 mi
I 55
0.34 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Merge slight left

106 mi · 01h 54m

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
02h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19 mi
132.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ottawa
01h 27m from Chicago
Leave By
12:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Geneseo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 151.2 miles (243.3 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?

Ottawa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.4 miles from Chicago and 75.7 miles from Geneseo.

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

The direct path is about 132.2 miles (212.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 19 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 12:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.10 one way or $40.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Geneseo.

Stop Ideas Near Ottawa

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

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

RAIL

Mendota station

32 mi away
783 Main Street
RAIL

Plano

43 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Dwight station

45 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Princeton

52 mi away
107 Bicentennial Dr.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Geneseo. Straight-line distance: 132.23 mi (212.81 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
Geneseo

#2 Geneseo

Township in Henry County, Illinois

Population6,505
Coordinates41.4480900, -90.1542800
Altitude198
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Geneseo (-90.15428, 41.44809)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 243 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.33 gal
20.19 L · about $20.10
Round trip
$40.20
10.66 gal · 40.38 L
Estimated CO2
47.4 kg one way
Round trip: 94.7 kg / 209 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.10 $40.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.67 $45.34
Premium $4.65 $24.81 $49.61
Diesel $5.30 $28.27 $56.54

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 Geneseo. The current time is 00:22:13.

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.