How far is Chicago, IL from Metropolis, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Metropolis, IL is about 364.5 miles (586.6 km), with a travel time of about 06h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 329.8 miles (530.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 44m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Metropolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Metropolis.
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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
87 m · 6 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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5
Turn slight right
34 m · 5 sec
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East, I 94 East
139 m · 11 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 90, I 94 East: Indiana
929 ft · 23 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.2 km · 48 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
200.8 mi · 3 hr 41 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
47.2 mi · 51 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Nashville
1.4 mi · 1 min
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14
Continue straight
35.6 mi · 38 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Metropolis, Brookport, Rest Area, Welcome Center
1848 ft · 40 sec
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16
Turn right onto United States Route 45
1.6 mi · 3 min · United States Route 45
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17
Turn right onto East 12th Street
1.5 km · 2 min · East 12th Street
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18
Turn left onto Ferry Street
2746 ft · 1 min · Ferry Street
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19
Turn right onto West 5th Street
14 m · 1 sec · West 5th Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Metropolis.
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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers leaving Chicago and Mostly Clear near Metropolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Metropolis?
The road trip is about 364.5 miles (586.6 km) and usually takes 06h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mattoon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 182.4 miles from Chicago and 182.1 miles from Metropolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 329.8 miles (530.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.7 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.50 one way or $96.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 114.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers around Chicago and Mostly Clear near Metropolis.
Stop Ideas Near Mattoon
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 Mattoon.
Mattoon station
Effingham
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Metropolis. Straight-line distance: 329.74 mi (530.66 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 Metropolis
Very large and significant city or urban area usually with millions of inhabitants
| Population | 5,885 |
| Coordinates | 37.1511700, -88.7320000 |
| Altitude | 110 |
| Country | United States |
End: Metropolis (-88.732, 37.15117)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 587 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $48.50 | $96.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $54.69 | $109.39 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $59.85 | $119.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $68.21 | $136.42 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.