How far is Chicago, IL from Northbrook, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Northbrook, IL is about 25.8 miles (41.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.3 miles (34.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 40m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Village in United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Northbrook.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Northbrook.
-
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
881 ft · 23 sec · South Canalport Avenue
-
5
Turn left onto South Ruble Street
676 ft · 23 sec · South Ruble Street
-
6
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 West, I 94 West
1758 ft · 43 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
-
8
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
-
9
Continue on Edens Expressway
9 mi · 11 min · Edens Expressway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Lake Avenue West
1138 ft · 28 sec
-
11
Turn straight onto Lake Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · Lake Avenue
-
12
Turn right onto Waukegan Road
3.5 mi · 6 min · Waukegan Road
-
13
Turn left onto Walters Avenue
2874 ft · 1 min · Walters Avenue
-
14
Turn right onto Meadow Road
145 m · 29 sec · Meadow Road
-
15
Turn left onto Shermer Road
608 ft · 15 sec · Shermer Road
-
16
Turn right onto Walters Avenue
37 m · 4 sec · Walters Avenue
-
17
Turn right onto 1st Street
90 m · 15 sec · 1st Street
-
18
Turn right
91 m · 22 sec
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Northbrook.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Edens Expressway
Continue on Edens Expressway
8.99 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Northbrook.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Northbrook?
The road trip is about 25.8 miles (41.6 km) and usually takes 00h 40m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lincolnwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.9 miles from Chicago and 12.9 miles from Northbrook.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.3 miles (34.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.43 one way or $6.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Northbrook.
Stop Ideas Near Lincolnwood
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 Lincolnwood.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Northbrook. Straight-line distance: 21.26 mi (34.22 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 Northbrook
Village in Illinois
| Population | 32,657 |
| Coordinates | 42.1275300, -87.8289500 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
End: Northbrook (-87.82895, 42.12753)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 42 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.43 | $6.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.87 | $7.74 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.24 | $8.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.83 | $9.65 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.