How far is Chicago, IL from Lawrence, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Lawrence, IL is about 77.5 miles (124.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 65.2 miles (104.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 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.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 49m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Lawrence.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Lawrence.
-
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
35.1 mi · 38 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 20: Hampshire, Marengo
2399 ft · 1 min
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
2537 ft · 53 sec · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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20
Continue on East Grant Highway
1.1 km · 55 sec · East Grant Highway
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Grant Highway
28 m · 2 sec · East Grant Highway
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22
Exit the roundabout onto East Grant Highway
3.3 mi · 4 min · East Grant Highway
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East Grant Highway
60 m · 4 sec · East Grant Highway
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24
Exit the roundabout onto East Grant Highway
4.4 mi · 6 min · East Grant Highway
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25
Turn right onto South State Street
10.6 mi · 16 min · South State Street
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26
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Division Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Division Street
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27
Turn left onto West Brink Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Brink Street
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28
Turn right onto Lawrence Road
2661 ft · 1 min · Lawrence Road
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29
Turn left onto Ramer Road
994 ft · 27 sec · Ramer Road
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30
Keep slight right to continue on Lawrence Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Lawrence Road
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31
Turn right onto Oak Grove Road
1050 ft · 33 sec · Oak Grove Road
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32
Turn right
24 m · 6 sec
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Lawrence.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
35.1 mi · 00h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Lawrence.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Lawrence?
The road trip is about 77.5 miles (124.8 km) and usually takes 01h 49m 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?
East Dundee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.8 miles from Chicago and 38.8 miles from Lawrence.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 65.2 miles (104.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.33 one way or $20.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Lawrence.
Stop Ideas Near East Dundee
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 East Dundee.
Naperville
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Lawrence. Straight-line distance: 65.16 mi (104.87 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 Lawrence
Township in Lawrence County, Illinois
| Population | 4,380 |
| Coordinates | 42.4411300, -88.6412100 |
| Altitude | 276 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lawrence (-88.64121, 42.44113)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 125 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.33 | $20.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.65 | $23.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $12.75 | $25.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $14.53 | $29.07 |
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.