How far is Chicago, IL from Lake Catherine, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Lake Catherine, IL is about 58.5 miles (94.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 50 miles (80.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 38m 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
58.5 mi
01h 19m
Flight
50.03 mi
80.51 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
50.03 mi
Kilometers
80.51 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
58.5 mi
Kilometers
94.15 km
Drive Time
01h 19m

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 01h 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake Catherine
Sun, Apr 19, 4:59 PM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Sun, Apr 19, 6:18 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-19T15:40
Arrive Lake Catherine
Sun, Apr 19, 4:59 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:19 AM to 11:19 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:52 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
Highwood
IL

City in Illinois

From Chicago
29.3 mi
00h 39m
To Lake Catherine
29.3 mi
00h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph WNW
Destination
48°F
Sunday

Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Lake Catherine.

  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

    881 ft · 23 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto South Ruble Street

    676 ft · 23 sec · South Ruble Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight toward I 90 West, I 94 West

    1758 ft · 43 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  8. 8

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  9. 9

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  12. 12

    Continue on South Skokie Highway

    17.7 mi · 22 min · South Skokie Highway

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Rosecrans Road

    9.9 mi · 15 min · Rosecrans Road

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West IL Route 173

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Lake Catherine.

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
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Skokie Highway
17.7 mi · 30%
Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 23%
Rosecrans Road
9.89 mi · 17%
Kennedy Expressway
8.16 mi · 14%
Skokie Highway
3.84 mi · 7%
Skokie Valley Road
3.38 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

South Skokie Highway

Continue on South Skokie Highway

17.7 mi · 00h 22m

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
01h 19m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.5 mi
50 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Highwood
00h 39m from Chicago
Leave By
3:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Lake Catherine.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Lake Catherine?

The road trip is about 58.5 miles (94.1 km) and usually takes 01h 19m 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?

Highwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.3 miles from Chicago and 29.3 miles from Lake Catherine.

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

The direct path is about 50 miles (80.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.5 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 3:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.77 one way or $15.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Lake Catherine.

Stop Ideas Near Highwood

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

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

RAIL

Glenview station

14 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

38 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

43 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

45 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Lake Catherine. Straight-line distance: 50.03 mi (80.51 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 Lake Catherine

Census-designated place in Illinois, United States

Population1,379
Coordinates42.4791900, -88.1334200
Altitude228
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Lake Catherine (-88.13342, 42.47919)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 94 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.06 gal
7.81 L · about $7.77
Round trip
$15.54
4.12 gal · 15.62 L
Estimated CO2
18.3 kg one way
Round trip: 36.6 kg / 81 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.77 $15.54
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.76 $17.52
Premium $4.65 $9.59 $19.17
Diesel $5.30 $10.93 $21.85

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Chicago and Lake Catherine. The current time is 15:40:39.

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.