How far is Chicago, IL from Northfield, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Northfield, IL is about 21.8 miles (35.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
21.82 mi
00h 32m
Flight
18.52 mi
29.8 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chicago.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
18.52 mi
Kilometers
29.8 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
21.82 mi
Kilometers
35.12 km
Drive Time
00h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Northfield
Sun, May 31, 4:20 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Sun, May 31, 4:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-05-31T03:47
Arrive Northfield
Sun, May 31, 4:20 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:33 AM to 7:33 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Chicago
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

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
Lincolnwood
IL

Village in United States of America

From Chicago
10.9 mi
00h 16m
To Northfield
10.9 mi
00h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph ESE
Destination
68°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    881 ft · 23 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto South Ruble Street

    676 ft · 23 sec · South Ruble Street

  6. 6

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

    1758 ft · 43 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  8. 8

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  9. 9

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    10.5 mi · 13 min · Edens Expressway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Willow Road East

    633 ft · 16 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Willow Road

    135 m · 11 sec · Willow Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Linder Avenue

    24 m · 5 sec · Linder Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right

    39 m · 10 sec

  14. 14

    Turn slight right

    13 m · 8 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Willow Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Willow Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Wagner Road

    682 ft · 21 sec · Wagner Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Bosworth Lane

    24 m · 4 sec · Bosworth Lane

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Bosworth Lane

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
18 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
82.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Edens Expressway
10.5 mi · 48%
Kennedy Expressway
8.16 mi · 37%
Dan Ryan Expressway
0.9 mi · 4%
Willow Road
0.87 mi · 4%
I 90 West
0.33 mi · 2%
West Cermak Road
0.18 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Edens Expressway

Continue on Edens Expressway

10.5 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 32m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.3 mi
18.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lincolnwood
00h 16m from Chicago
Leave By
7:24 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Partly Sunny near Northfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 21.8 miles (35.1 km) and usually takes 00h 32m 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 10.9 miles from Chicago and 10.9 miles from Northfield.

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

The direct path is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.3 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 7:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.90 one way or $5.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lincolnwood

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

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

RAIL

Glenview station

10 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

16 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

24 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

25 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Northfield. Straight-line distance: 18.52 mi (29.8 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
Northfield

#2 Northfield

Village in Cook County, Illinois

Population5,387
Coordinates42.0997500, -87.7809000
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Northfield (-87.7809, 42.09975)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 35 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.77 gal
2.91 L · about $2.90
Round trip
$5.81
1.54 gal · 5.82 L
Estimated CO2
6.8 kg one way
Round trip: 13.7 kg / 30 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $2.90 $5.81
Mid-grade $4.25 $3.27 $6.55
Premium $4.65 $3.58 $7.17
Diesel $5.30 $4.08 $8.17

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Chicago and Northfield. The current time is 03:47:35.

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.