How far is Chicago, IL from Oswego, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Oswego, IL is about 45.9 miles (73.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 38 miles (61.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
45.94 mi
01h 07m
Flight
37.95 mi
61.07 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chicago.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.95 mi
Kilometers
61.07 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.94 mi
Kilometers
73.93 km
Drive Time
01h 07m

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 01h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Oswego
Thu, Apr 23, 1:18 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 2:26 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-23T00:11
Arrive Oswego
Thu, Apr 23, 1:18 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chicago
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Lemont
IL

Historic village in the U.

From Chicago
22.9 mi
00h 33m
To Oswego
23 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 right to continue on I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive

    1820 ft · 44 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: St Louis

    2604 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Stevenson Expressway

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Stevenson Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue on Adlai E Stevenson Expressway

    1739 ft · 27 sec · Adlai E Stevenson Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    24.8 mi · 33 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 126 West: Plainfield

    2328 ft · 43 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on East Main Street

    2.8 mi · 5 min · East Main Street

  14. 14

    Continue on West Lockport Street

    1 km · 1 min · West Lockport Street

  15. 15

    Continue on West Lockport Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · West Lockport Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Ridge Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Ridge Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Plainfield Road

    5.4 mi · 8 min · Plainfield Road

  18. 18

    Continue on East Washington Street

    2272 ft · 1 min · East Washington Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
24.8 mi · 54%
Stevenson Expressway
5.61 mi · 12%
Plainfield Road
5.38 mi · 12%
East Main Street
2.82 mi · 6%
West Lockport Road
2.41 mi · 5%
Ridge Road
1.64 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway

24.8 mi · 00h 33m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.9 mi
38 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lemont
00h 33m from Chicago
Leave By
4:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Oswego.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 45.9 miles (73.9 km) and usually takes 01h 07m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lemont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.9 miles from Chicago and 23 miles from Oswego.

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

The direct path is about 38 miles (61.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.11 one way or $12.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lemont

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

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

RAIL

Naperville

17 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

18 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

19 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

20 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Oswego. Straight-line distance: 37.95 mi (61.07 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
Oswego

#2 Oswego

City in and county seat of Oswego County, New York, United States

Population36,696
Coordinates41.6828100, -88.3514600
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Oswego (-88.35146, 41.68281)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 74 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.62 gal
6.14 L · about $6.11
Round trip
$12.22
3.24 gal · 12.28 L
Estimated CO2
14.4 kg one way
Round trip: 28.8 kg / 63 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.11 $12.22
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.89 $13.78
Premium $4.65 $7.54 $15.08
Diesel $5.30 $8.59 $17.18

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

There is no time difference between Chicago and Oswego. The current time is 00:11:00.

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.