How far is Chicago, IL from Hillsboro, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Hillsboro, IL is about 251.8 miles (405.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 209.5 miles (337.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 36m 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 04h 48m.
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.
Town in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Hillsboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Hillsboro.
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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
128.7 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
39.7 mi · 43 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 16: Gillespie, Litchfield
2880 ft · 55 sec
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15
Turn left
58 m · 6 sec
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16
Turn straight onto County Road 1200 North
1.4 km · 1 min · County Road 1200 North
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17
Continue on West Union Avenue
2.2 mi · 3 min · West Union Avenue
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18
Continue on Illinois Route 16
7.4 mi · 11 min · Illinois Route 16
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19
Turn right onto West Seward Street
85 m · 12 sec · West Seward Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Seward Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Hillsboro.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway
129 mi · 02h 26m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Hillsboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Hillsboro?
The road trip is about 251.8 miles (405.3 km) and usually takes 04h 48m 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?
Normal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.9 miles from Chicago and 125.9 miles from Hillsboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 209.5 miles (337.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.3 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 7:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.52 one way or $67.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Hillsboro.
Stop Ideas Near Normal
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Normal.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Hillsboro. Straight-line distance: 209.53 mi (337.21 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 Hillsboro
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 5,909 |
| Coordinates | 39.1612800, -89.4954000 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hillsboro (-89.4954, 39.16128)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 405 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.52 | $67.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.81 | $75.62 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.37 | $82.75 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.15 | $94.31 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.