How far is Chicago, IL from Mount Vernon, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Mount Vernon, IL is about 277.1 miles (445.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 252.9 miles (407 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 19m 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
277.04 mi
05h 09m
Flight
252.91 mi
407.02 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
252.91 mi
Kilometers
407.02 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
277.04 mi
Kilometers
445.86 km
Drive Time
05h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mount Vernon
Sat, Apr 18, 4:37 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Sat, Apr 18, 9:47 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-17T23:27
Arrive Mount Vernon
Sat, Apr 18, 4:37 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:10 AM to 1:10 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
6:40 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

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.

Mid-route stop
Savoy
IL

Town

From Chicago
138.6 mi
02h 34m
To Mount Vernon
138.4 mi
02h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE
Destination
86°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 13 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Mount Vernon.

  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

    62.7 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 15: Ashley, Mt. Vernon

    1624 ft · 42 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Broadway Street

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Broadway Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
264 mi · 95%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 3%
Broadway Street
2.82 mi · 1%
Dan Ryan Expressway
0.74 mi
IL 15
0.31 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 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.2 mi
252.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Savoy
02h 34m from Chicago
Leave By
6:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mount Vernon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Mount Vernon?

The road trip is about 277.1 miles (445.9 km) and usually takes 05h 09m 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?

Savoy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.6 miles from Chicago and 138.4 miles from Mount Vernon.

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

The direct path is about 252.9 miles (407 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.2 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 6:40 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.88 one way or $73.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mount Vernon.

Stop Ideas Near Savoy

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

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

RAIL

Illinois Terminal

7 mi away
45 East University Ave.
RAIL

Rantoul

29 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
BUS

Danville, Illinois

53 mi away
379 Lynch Road
RAIL

Mattoon station

65 mi away
1718 Broadway Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Mount Vernon. Straight-line distance: 252.91 mi (407.02 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
Mount Vernon

#2 Mount Vernon

City located near the center of Jefferson County, Illinois, United States

Population14,511
Coordinates38.3172700, -88.9031200
Altitude156
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Mount Vernon (-88.90312, 38.31727)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 446 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.78 gal
37.01 L · about $36.88
Round trip
$73.76
19.56 gal · 74.02 L
Estimated CO2
86.9 kg one way
Round trip: 173.8 kg / 383 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $36.88 $73.76
Mid-grade $4.25 $41.59 $83.19
Premium $4.65 $45.52 $91.03
Diesel $5.30 $51.87 $103.75

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Chicago and Mount Vernon. The current time is 23:27:57.

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.