How far is Chicago, IL from Marion, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Marion, IL is about 317.5 miles (511 km), with a travel time of about 05h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 292.7 miles (471 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
317.52 mi
05h 52m
Flight
292.65 mi
470.98 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chicago.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
292.65 mi
Kilometers
470.98 km
Flight Time
00h 35m

Driving Distance

Road route
317.52 mi
Kilometers
511 km
Drive Time
05h 52m

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 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Marion
Thu, Apr 23, 12:16 PM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 6:08 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-23T06:23
Arrive Marion
Thu, Apr 23, 12:16 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:53 AM to 1:53 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:14 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chicago
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Tuscola
IL

City in Illinois

From Chicago
158.9 mi
02h 56m
To Marion
158.6 mi
02h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
82°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 17 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Marion.

  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

    87 m · 6 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn slight right

    34 m · 5 sec

  6. 6

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

    139 m · 11 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 90, I 94 East: Indiana

    929 ft · 23 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway

    1.2 km · 48 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

    200.8 mi · 3 hr 41 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

    65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway

    38.7 mi · 42 min · Ken Gray Expressway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Marion

    1879 ft · 46 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    36 m · 8 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

  16. 16

    Turn right

    24 m · 11 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left

    46 m · 11 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
18 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
267 mi · 84%
Ken Gray Expressway
39.1 mi · 12%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 3%
West Main Street
1.48 mi
Dan Ryan Expressway
0.74 mi
West Cermak Road
0.18 mi
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

201 mi · 03h 41m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 52m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.8 mi
292.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tuscola
02h 56m from Chicago
Leave By
5:14 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Sunny near Marion.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Marion?

The road trip is about 317.5 miles (511 km) and usually takes 05h 52m 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?

Tuscola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.9 miles from Chicago and 158.6 miles from Marion.

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

The direct path is about 292.7 miles (471 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.8 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 5:14 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.24 one way or $84.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Sunny near Marion.

Stop Ideas Near Tuscola

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

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

RAIL

Illinois Terminal

35 mi away
45 East University Ave.
RAIL

Mattoon station

36 mi away
1718 Broadway Ave.
RAIL

Rantoul

58 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
BUS

Danville, Illinois

66 mi away
379 Lynch Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Marion. Straight-line distance: 292.65 mi (470.98 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 Marion

City in and the county seat of Williamson County, Illinois, United States

Population17,803
Coordinates37.7306100, -88.9331300
Altitude129
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Marion (-88.93313, 37.73061)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 511 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.2 gal
42.41 L · about $42.24
Round trip
$84.47
22.4 gal · 84.82 L
Estimated CO2
99.5 kg one way
Round trip: 199.1 kg / 439 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $42.24 $84.47
Mid-grade $4.25 $47.63 $95.27
Premium $4.65 $52.12 $104.25
Diesel $5.30 $59.40 $118.81

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

There is no time difference between Chicago and Marion. The current time is 06:23:41.

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.