How far is Chicago, IL from Gifford, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Gifford, IL is about 128.2 miles (206.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 108.4 miles (174.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 04m 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
128.21 mi
02h 32m
Flight
108.43 mi
174.5 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
108.43 mi
Kilometers
174.5 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
128.21 mi
Kilometers
206.33 km
Drive Time
02h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gifford
Thu, Apr 23, 5:42 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 8:14 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-23T03:10
Arrive Gifford
Thu, Apr 23, 5:42 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:32 AM to 12:32 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:26 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
Otto
IL

Township in Kankakee County, Illinois

From Chicago
64.1 mi
01h 16m
To Gifford
64.1 mi
01h 16m

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 21 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    108.1 mi · 2 hr 1 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 136: Rantoul, Fisher

    1572 ft · 45 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on US 136: Rantoul

    655 ft · 20 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Champaign Avenue

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Champaign Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on Klein Avenue

    1821 ft · 33 sec · Klein Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on East Grove Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · East Grove Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on County Road 3000 North

    5.1 mi · 7 min · County Road 3000 North

  17. 17

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    2531 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  18. 18

    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 Gifford.

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
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
108 mi · 84%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 7%
County Road 3000 North
5.07 mi · 4%
Champaign Avenue
2.11 mi · 2%
East Grove Avenue
1.27 mi · 1%
Dan Ryan Expressway
0.74 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

108 mi · 02h 01m

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 32m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.8 mi
108.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Otto
01h 16m from Chicago
Leave By
1:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Gifford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 128.2 miles (206.3 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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?

Otto is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.1 miles from Chicago and 64.1 miles from Gifford.

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

The direct path is about 108.4 miles (174.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.08 one way or $34.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Otto

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

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

RAIL

Kankakee

8 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Gilman

33 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Dwight station

45 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

55 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Gifford. Straight-line distance: 108.43 mi (174.5 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 Gifford

Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America

Population1,035
Coordinates40.3058700, -88.0211500
Altitude243
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Gifford (-88.02115, 40.30587)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 206 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.53 gal
17.13 L · about $17.08
Round trip
$34.17
9.06 gal · 34.26 L
Estimated CO2
40.3 kg one way
Round trip: 80.5 kg / 177 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.08 $34.17
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.27 $38.53
Premium $4.65 $21.08 $42.17
Diesel $5.30 $24.03 $48.05

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 Gifford. The current time is 03:10:47.

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.