How far is Chicago, IL from McLeansboro, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to McLeansboro, IL is about 306.3 miles (492.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 263.8 miles (424.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 34m 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 47m.
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.
City in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and McLeansboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and McLeansboro.
-
1
Start on the route
943 ft · 1 min
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
947 ft · 26 sec · West Cermak Road
-
3
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 17 sec · South Halsted Street
-
4
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
87 m · 6 sec · South Canalport Avenue
-
5
Turn slight right
34 m · 5 sec
-
6
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East, I 94 East
139 m · 11 sec
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 90, I 94 East: Indiana
929 ft · 23 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.2 km · 48 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
200.8 mi · 3 hr 41 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 East: Louisville
10.7 mi · 12 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Belle Rive, Bluford
1901 ft · 36 sec
-
14
Turn right onto County Highway 17
736 ft · 15 sec · County Highway 17
-
15
Continue on Brehm Lane
2.2 mi · 4 min · Brehm Lane
-
16
Continue on North Main Street
2227 ft · 46 sec · North Main Street
-
17
Turn left
11.5 mi · 17 min
-
18
Continue on County Road 6
3.8 mi · 6 min · County Road 6
-
19
Turn right onto South Washington Street
134 m · 13 sec · South Washington Street
-
20
Turn left onto East Main Street
132 m · 13 sec · East Main Street
-
21
Turn left onto South Jackson Street
56 m · 3 sec · South Jackson Street
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Jackson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and McLeansboro.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms near McLeansboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to McLeansboro?
The road trip is about 306.3 miles (492.9 km) and usually takes 05h 47m 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 153.2 miles from Chicago and 153 miles from McLeansboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 263.8 miles (424.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.76 one way or $81.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms near McLeansboro.
Stop Ideas Near Tuscola
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 Tuscola.
Illinois Terminal
Mattoon station
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and McLeansboro. Straight-line distance: 263.75 mi (424.47 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 McLeansboro
City in Illinois
| Population | 2,730 |
| Coordinates | 38.0933800, -88.5356100 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: McLeansboro (-88.53561, 38.09338)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 493 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.76 | $81.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.97 | $91.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $50.31 | $100.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $57.34 | $114.67 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.