How far is Chicago, IL from Madison, WI?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Madison, WI is about 151.9 miles (244.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.9 miles (197.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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 07m.
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.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Madison.
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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
81.6 mi · 1 hr 28 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward CTH S
1757 ft · 33 sec
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19
Keep slight right
81 m · 7 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Shopiere Road
2 mi · 3 min · Shopiere Road
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21
Turn left onto County Highway J
5.8 mi · 9 min · County Highway J
-
22
Turn left onto East Avalon Road
1862 ft · 35 sec · East Avalon Road
-
23
Take the ramp slight right
16.9 mi · 18 min
-
24
Continue straight
18.1 mi · 19 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward US 12, US 18: Madison, Cambridge
2097 ft · 51 sec
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26
Keep slight left to continue on US 12 West, US 18 West, I 39 Alternate: Madison
1630 ft · 40 sec
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27
Continue on US 12 West, US 18 West, I 39 Alternate: Madison
1 km · 1 min
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28
Merge slight left onto South Beltline Highway
4.2 mi · 6 min · South Beltline Highway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward John Nolen Drive
1045 ft · 25 sec
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30
Continue on John Nolen Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · John Nolen Drive
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31
Turn left onto North Shore Drive
1748 ft · 52 sec · North Shore Drive
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32
Continue on Proudfit Street
1648 ft · 49 sec · Proudfit Street
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33
Continue on Regent Street
1635 ft · 39 sec · Regent Street
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34
Turn right onto North Park Street
2054 ft · 1 min · North Park Street
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35
Turn left onto University Avenue
50 m · 6 sec · University Avenue
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Madison.
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
81.6 mi · 01h 28m
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.
Cloudy leaving Chicago and Partly Sunny near Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Madison?
The road trip is about 151.9 miles (244.5 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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 75.9 miles from Chicago and 76.1 miles from Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.9 miles (197.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 29 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 10:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.21 one way or $40.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Cloudy around Chicago and Partly Sunny near Madison.
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 Madison. Straight-line distance: 122.91 mi (197.8 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 Madison
City in and county seat of Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, and the capital city of Wisconsin
| Population | 6,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.0730500, -89.4012300 |
| Altitude | 267 |
| Country | United States |
End: Madison (-89.40123, 43.07305)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 245 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.21 | $40.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.80 | $45.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.95 | $49.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.43 | $56.86 |
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 · Jul 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.