How far is Chicago, IL from Reading, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Reading, IL is about 99.9 miles (160.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 82.6 miles (132.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 21m 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
99.84 mi
02h 10m
Flight
82.57 mi
132.88 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
82.57 mi
Kilometers
132.88 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
99.84 mi
Kilometers
160.68 km
Drive Time
02h 10m

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 02h 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Reading
Wed, Apr 22, 11:48 PM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 1:58 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-22T21:37
Arrive Reading
Wed, Apr 22, 11:48 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:11 AM to 12:11 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:08 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
Channahon
IL

City in Illinois, United States of America

From Chicago
49.9 mi
01h 05m
To Reading
50 mi
01h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE
Destination
79°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    68.6 mi · 1 hr 22 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 17: Streator, Kankakee

    1932 ft · 37 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East 3200 North Road

    9.9 mi · 15 min · East 3200 North Road

  14. 14

    Continue on E 3200 N Road

    3 mi · 5 min · E 3200 N Road

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East 3000 North Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · East 3000 North Road

  16. 16

    Continue on East 3000 N Road

    5.7 mi · 9 min · East 3000 N Road

  17. 17

    Continue on East 3000 North Road

    2.6 mi · 4 min · East 3000 North Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto North 379 E Road

    1002 ft · 44 sec · North 379 E Road

  19. 19

    Turn slight right onto Co Rd 379 E Rd

    1336 ft · 59 sec · Co Rd 379 E Rd

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Co Rd 379 E Rd

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
68.6 mi · 69%
East 3200 North Road
9.89 mi · 10%
East 3000 N Road
5.74 mi · 6%
Stevenson Expressway
5.61 mi · 6%
East 3000 North Road
4.37 mi · 4%
E 3200 N Road
2.98 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Adlai Stevenson Expressway

Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway

68.6 mi · 01h 22m

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
02h 10m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.3 mi
82.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Channahon
01h 05m from Chicago
Leave By
2:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Sunny near Reading.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 99.9 miles (160.7 km) and usually takes 02h 10m 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?

Channahon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.9 miles from Chicago and 50 miles from Reading.

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

The direct path is about 82.6 miles (132.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.27 one way or $26.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Channahon

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

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

RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

16 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Plano

37 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Naperville

40 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

41 mi away
119 West Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Reading. Straight-line distance: 82.57 mi (132.88 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
Reading

#2 Reading

Township in Livingston County, Illinois

Population1,860
Coordinates41.0667000, -88.8542400
Altitude190
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Reading (-88.85424, 41.0667)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 161 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.52 gal
13.34 L · about $13.27
Round trip
$26.55
7.04 gal · 26.68 L
Estimated CO2
31.3 kg one way
Round trip: 62.6 kg / 138 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.27 $26.55
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.97 $29.94
Premium $4.65 $16.38 $32.76
Diesel $5.30 $18.67 $37.34

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 Reading. The current time is 21:37:48.

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.