How far is Chicago, IL from Pana, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Pana, IL is about 218.6 miles (351.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 185.9 miles (299.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 10m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Ford County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Pana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Pana.
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1
Start on the route
943 ft · 1 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
947 ft · 26 sec · West Cermak Road
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3
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 17 sec · South Halsted Street
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4
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
87 m · 6 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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5
Turn slight right
34 m · 5 sec
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East, I 94 East
139 m · 11 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 90, I 94 East: Indiana
929 ft · 23 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.2 km · 48 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
123.2 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 72 West: Decatur
2596 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
47.6 mi · 51 min
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13
Take the exit slight left toward US 36 East, US 51 South: Decatur, Pana
2607 ft · 1 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on US 51 South: Pana
34.4 mi · 39 min
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15
Turn right onto North 2600 East Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North 2600 East Road
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16
Continue on Jackson Street
2668 ft · 2 min · Jackson Street
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17
Turn left onto Cedar Street
142 m · 8 sec · Cedar Street
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18
Turn right onto East 1st Street
2150 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street
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19
Turn left onto South Poplar Street
141 m · 13 sec · South Poplar Street
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20
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
26 m · 4 sec · East 2nd Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Pana.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 57 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
123 mi · 02h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Sunny near Pana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Pana?
The road trip is about 218.6 miles (351.8 km) and usually takes 04h 10m 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?
Paxton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.3 miles from Chicago and 109.3 miles from Pana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 185.9 miles (299.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.7 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 8:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.07 one way or $58.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Sunny near Pana.
Stop Ideas Near Paxton
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 Paxton.
Rantoul
Gilman
Illinois Terminal
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Pana. Straight-line distance: 185.84 mi (299.08 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 Pana
Town in Christian County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 5,327 |
| Coordinates | 39.3889300, -89.0800800 |
| Altitude | 213 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pana (-89.08008, 39.38893)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 352 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.07 | $58.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.79 | $65.58 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.88 | $71.76 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $40.89 | $81.79 |
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.