How far is Chicago, IL from Prairie Grove, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Prairie Grove, IL is about 49.7 miles (80 km), with a travel time of about 01h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 43.1 miles (69.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 42m 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
49.71 mi
01h 21m
Flight
43.11 mi
69.38 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
43.11 mi
Kilometers
69.38 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
49.71 mi
Kilometers
80 km
Drive Time
01h 21m

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 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Prairie Grove
Sat, Apr 18, 9:51 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Sat, Apr 18, 11:12 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-18T08:30
Arrive Prairie Grove
Sat, Apr 18, 9:51 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:21 AM to 11:21 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:48 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Prospect Heights
IL

City in Cook County, Illinois, United States

From Chicago
24.9 mi
00h 40m
To Prairie Grove
24.9 mi
00h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WSW
Destination
51°F
Saturday

Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Prairie Grove.

  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

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Palatine Road

  20. 20

    Turn right onto East Rand Road

    14.6 mi · 21 min · East Rand Road

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 176

    711 ft · 23 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto West Liberty Street

    2811 ft · 1 min · West Liberty Street

  23. 23

    Continue on East State Road

    4.1 mi · 8 min · East State Road

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Nish Road

    1.8 mi · 5 min · Nish Road

  25. 25

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Barreville Road

    1198 ft · 41 sec · Barreville Road

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Barreville Road

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
52.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Rand Road
14.6 mi · 29%
Kennedy Expressway
8.16 mi · 16%
Milwaukee Avenue
4.46 mi · 9%
East State Road
4.09 mi · 8%
Palatine Road
3.87 mi · 8%
North Milwaukee Avenue
3.7 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

East Rand Road

Turn right onto East Rand Road

14.6 mi · 00h 21m

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 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.6 mi
43.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Prospect Heights
00h 40m from Chicago
Leave By
3:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Chicago and Rain Showers near Prairie Grove.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Prairie Grove?

The road trip is about 49.7 miles (80 km) and usually takes 01h 21m 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?

Prospect Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.9 miles from Chicago and 24.9 miles from Prairie Grove.

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

The direct path is about 43.1 miles (69.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.6 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 3:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.60 one way or $13.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Chicago and Rain Showers near Prairie Grove.

Stop Ideas Near Prospect Heights

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

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

RAIL

Glenview station

11 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

La Grange Road

32 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

34 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

Summit

35 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Prairie Grove. Straight-line distance: 43.11 mi (69.38 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
Prairie Grove

#2 Prairie Grove

Village in Illinois

Population1,920
Coordinates42.2786300, -88.2609200
Altitude231
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Prairie Grove (-88.26092, 42.27863)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 80 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.75 gal
6.64 L · about $6.60
Round trip
$13.20
3.5 gal · 13.28 L
Estimated CO2
15.6 kg one way
Round trip: 31.1 kg / 69 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.60 $13.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.44 $14.89
Premium $4.65 $8.14 $16.29
Diesel $5.30 $9.28 $18.56

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Chicago and Prairie Grove. The current time is 08:30:37.

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.