How far is Chicago, IL from Jackson, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Jackson, IL is about 243.1 miles (391.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216.2 miles (347.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 49m 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 05h 24m.
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.
Village in Newell Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Jackson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Jackson.
-
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 left to continue on I 90, I 94 East: Indiana
929 ft · 23 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.2 km · 48 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
10.8 mi · 15 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East, I 94 East: Indiana
1.1 mi · 1 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on US 6 West, IL 83: Torrence Avenue
2791 ft · 43 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 6 West, IL 83 West: Torrence Avenue
997 ft · 24 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on IL 83 South
153 m · 12 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Torrence Avenue
3.7 mi · 6 min · Torrence Avenue
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16
Turn left onto Glenwood Dyer Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Glenwood Dyer Road
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17
Continue on Lincoln Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Lincoln Highway
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18
Continue on Joliet Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · Joliet Street
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19
Continue on West Lincoln Highway
656 ft · 20 sec · West Lincoln Highway
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20
Turn right onto Wicker Avenue
58.8 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Wicker Avenue
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21
Keep slight left
21.6 mi · 27 min
-
22
Continue straight
63.4 mi · 1 hr 21 min
-
23
Continue straight
57.4 mi · 1 hr 17 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 West: Lawrenceville
1341 ft · 33 sec
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25
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 min
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26
Take the exit slight left
3141 ft · 1 min
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27
Turn sharp left
78 m · 11 sec
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28
Continue on 990N
160 m · 11 sec · 990N
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 990N
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Jackson.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Wicker Avenue
Continue straight
63.4 mi · 01h 21m
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 Partly Sunny near Jackson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Jackson?
The road trip is about 243.1 miles (391.2 km) and usually takes 05h 24m 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?
Bismarck is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.7 miles from Chicago and 121.4 miles from Jackson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216.2 miles (347.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.9 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 6:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.36 one way or $64.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Partly Sunny near Jackson.
Stop Ideas Near Bismarck
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 Bismarck.
Danville, Illinois
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Jackson. Straight-line distance: 216.18 mi (347.91 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 Jackson
County in Illinois, United States
| Population | 18,488 |
| Coordinates | 38.7211600, -87.6503000 |
| Altitude | 144 |
| Country | United States |
End: Jackson (-87.6503, 38.72116)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 391 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.36 | $64.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.49 | $72.98 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.93 | $79.86 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.51 | $91.02 |
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 · May 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.