How far is Chicago, IL from Grand Junction, CO?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Grand Junction, CO is about 1244.4 miles (2002.7 km), with a travel time of about 22h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 1112.6 miles (1790.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 44h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CST.
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 22h 15m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Location in Nebraska, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Grand Junction.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Grand Junction.
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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 left onto West Cermak Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Cermak Road
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3
Turn right onto South Ashland Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Ashland Avenue
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4
Turn left onto West Van Buren Street
900 ft · 29 sec · West Van Buren Street
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 290 West
650 ft · 16 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Expressway
12.1 mi · 16 min · Eisenhower Expressway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
25.1 mi · 30 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
69.5 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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10
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
37.8 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
4.6 mi · 5 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 80: Des Moines
1949 ft · 48 sec
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14
Keep slight right
1.1 km · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left
185.9 mi · 3 hr 23 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
23.7 mi · 26 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West Express: Council Bluffs, Omaha
355.4 mi · 6 hr 3 min
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19
Keep slight right to continue on I 76 West: Denver
188 mi · 3 hr 10 min
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20
Merge slight left
232.9 mi · 4 hr 18 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, Delta
1.6 mi · 3 min
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22
Continue straight
4.2 mi · 7 min
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23
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
24
Turn left onto South 13th Street
107 m · 10 sec · South 13th Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Grand Junction.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 80 West Express
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West Express: Council Bluffs, Omaha
355 mi · 06h 03m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Grand Junction.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Grand Junction?
The road trip is about 1244.4 miles (2002.7 km) and usually takes 22h 15m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Prosser is a useful midpoint, sitting about 621.1 miles from Chicago and 623.4 miles from Grand Junction.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 1112.6 miles (1790.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 131.8 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 7:30 AM CST. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $208.09 one way or $416.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 390.2 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Chicago and Grand Junction, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Grand Junction.
Stop Ideas Near Prosser
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 Prosser.
Hastings
Holdrege
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Grand Junction. Straight-line distance: 1112.65 mi (1790.64 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 Grand Junction
The most populous city in Mesa County, Colorado.
| Population | 63,447 |
| Coordinates | 39.0638700, -108.5506500 |
| Altitude | 1400 |
| Country | United States |
End: Grand Junction (-108.55065, 39.06387)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 2003 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 41h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 31h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 24h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 20h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 17h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 15h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.74 | $208.09 | $416.18 |
| Mid-grade | $5.36 | $235.49 | $470.98 |
| Premium | $5.92 | $259.86 | $519.72 |
| Diesel | $6.64 | $291.61 | $583.21 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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