How far is Chicago, IL from Palatine, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Palatine, IL is about 31.3 miles (50.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 26.7 miles (43 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 39m 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
31.31 mi
00h 49m
Flight
26.7 mi
42.97 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
26.7 mi
Kilometers
42.97 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
31.31 mi
Kilometers
50.39 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Palatine
Thu, Apr 23, 5:25 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 6:15 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-23T04:36
Arrive Palatine
Thu, Apr 23, 5:25 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:50 AM to 10:50 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:50 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
Niles
IL

City in Trumbull County, Ohio

From Chicago
15.7 mi
00h 24m
To Palatine
15.7 mi
00h 24m

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 Palatine.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    2.2 mi · 2 min · Edens Expressway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 14 West: Caldwell Avenue

    1068 ft · 26 sec

  11. 11

    Turn slight right onto North Caldwell Avenue

    2.5 mi · 4 min · North Caldwell Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto West Touhy Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · West Touhy Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue

    142 m · 11 sec · North Milwaukee Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on North Milwaukee Avenue

    3.6 mi · 6 min · North Milwaukee Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Milwaukee Avenue

    4.5 mi · 7 min · Milwaukee Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Old Palatine Road

    2346 ft · 1 min · Old Palatine Road

  17. 17

    Continue on West Palatine Road

    560 ft · 15 sec · West Palatine Road

  18. 18

    Take the ramp slight left toward Palatine Road

    109 m · 10 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Palatine Road

    6.8 mi · 10 min · Palatine Road

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Palatine Road

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
63.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Kennedy Expressway
8.16 mi · 26%
Palatine Road
6.85 mi · 22%
Milwaukee Avenue
4.46 mi · 14%
North Milwaukee Avenue
3.7 mi · 12%
North Caldwell Avenue
2.52 mi · 8%
Edens Expressway
2.18 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Kennedy Expressway

Continue on Kennedy Expressway

8.16 mi · 00h 12m

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
00h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.6 mi
26.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Niles
00h 24m from Chicago
Leave By
4:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Palatine.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 31.3 miles (50.4 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?

Niles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.7 miles from Chicago and 15.7 miles from Palatine.

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

The direct path is about 26.7 miles (43 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 4:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.15 one way or $8.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Niles

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

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

RAIL

Glenview station

6 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

21 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

23 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 Palatine. Straight-line distance: 26.7 mi (42.97 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
Palatine

#2 Palatine

Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Population66,830
Coordinates42.1103000, -88.0342400
Altitude226
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Palatine (-88.03424, 42.1103)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 50 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.1 gal
4.18 L · about $4.15
Round trip
$8.30
2.2 gal · 8.36 L
Estimated CO2
9.8 kg one way
Round trip: 19.6 kg / 43 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $4.15 $8.30
Mid-grade $4.25 $4.68 $9.36
Premium $4.65 $5.12 $10.24
Diesel $5.30 $5.83 $11.67

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 Palatine. The current time is 04:36:04.

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.