How far is Chicago, IL from Guilford, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Guilford, IL is about 161.1 miles (259.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.4 miles (227.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 14m 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 37m.
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.
Township in Winnebago County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Guilford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Guilford.
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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
881 ft · 23 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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5
Turn left onto South Ruble Street
676 ft · 23 sec · South Ruble Street
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 West, I 94 West
1758 ft · 43 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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8
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
7.9 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Montrose Avenue
1041 ft · 29 sec
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10
Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · West Montrose Avenue
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11
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
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12
Turn left onto North Northwest Highway
21 m · 2 sec · North Northwest Highway
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13
Continue on North Northwest Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · North Northwest Highway
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14
Turn slight left onto West Bryn Mawr Avenue
1.8 mi · 4 min · West Bryn Mawr Avenue
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15
Continue on West Higgins Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · West Higgins Road
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16
Take the ramp right toward I 90 Toll West
1334 ft · 33 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
59.4 mi · 1 hr 4 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I-39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington
1.1 km · 1 min
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19
Merge slight right
2475 ft · 30 sec
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20
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 2 min
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21
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
29.6 mi · 34 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 BUS: Freeport
3.6 mi · 6 min
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23
Turn slight right onto South Galena Avenue
7.3 mi · 13 min · South Galena Avenue
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24
Turn left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
14.5 mi · 20 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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25
Continue on East North Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · East North Avenue
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26
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
6.4 mi · 9 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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27
Continue on East Woodbine Street
2853 ft · 1 min · East Woodbine Street
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28
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.6 mi · 7 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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29
Continue on South Main Street
2099 ft · 1 min · South Main Street
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30
Turn straight onto Diagonal Street
639 ft · 21 sec · Diagonal Street
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31
Continue on West Madison Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Madison Street
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32
Turn right onto South Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
8.1 mi · 14 min · South Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
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33
Turn left onto West Rawlins Road
1.9 mi · 5 min · West Rawlins Road
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34
Continue on West Guilford Road
2046 ft · 56 sec · West Guilford Road
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Guilford Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Guilford.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
59.4 mi · 01h 04m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Guilford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Guilford?
The road trip is about 161.1 miles (259.2 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?
Cherry Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.3 miles from Chicago and 80.7 miles from Guilford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.4 miles (227.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.7 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 9:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.42 one way or $42.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.5 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 Guilford.
Stop Ideas Near Cherry Valley
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 Cherry Valley.
Rockford, Illinois
South Beloit, Illinois
Janesville, Wisconsin
Plano
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Guilford. Straight-line distance: 141.34 mi (227.46 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 Guilford
Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,144 |
| Coordinates | 42.4175100, -90.3004100 |
| Altitude | 230 |
| Country | United States |
End: Guilford (-90.30041, 42.41751)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 259 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.42 | $42.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.16 | $48.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.43 | $52.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.13 | $60.25 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.