How far is Chicago, IL from Red Bud, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Red Bud, IL is about 314.4 miles (505.9 km), with a travel time of about 06h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 280.3 miles (451.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 07m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Red Bud.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Red Bud.
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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 right to continue on I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive
1820 ft · 44 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: St Louis
2604 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Stevenson Expressway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Stevenson Expressway
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10
Continue on Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
1739 ft · 27 sec · Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
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11
Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway
128.7 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
77.9 mi · 1 hr 24 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
1434 ft · 48 sec
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15
Continue on Vandalia Street
3 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street
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16
Continue on South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue
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17
Continue on North Illinois Street
9.8 mi · 15 min · North Illinois Street
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Illinois Street
55 m · 5 sec · South Illinois Street
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19
Exit the rotary onto South Illinois Street
8.3 mi · 13 min · South Illinois Street
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20
Continue on State Route 159
6.1 mi · 9 min · State Route 159
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21
Continue on North Main Street
1163 ft · 20 sec · North Main Street
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22
Continue on N Main St
810 ft · 14 sec · N Main St
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23
Continue on Main Street
6.4 mi · 10 min · Main Street
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24
Turn right onto West Market Street
17 m · 1 sec · West Market Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Red Bud.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway
129 mi · 02h 26m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Sunny near Red Bud.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Red Bud?
The road trip is about 314.4 miles (505.9 km) and usually takes 06h 07m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lawndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 157.2 miles from Chicago and 157.1 miles from Red Bud.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 280.3 miles (451.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.1 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.82 one way or $83.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Sunny near Red Bud.
Stop Ideas Near Lawndale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lawndale.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Springfield station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Red Bud. Straight-line distance: 280.28 mi (451.07 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 Red Bud
City in Randolph County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 3,442 |
| Coordinates | 38.2117200, -89.9942700 |
| Altitude | 144 |
| Country | United States |
End: Red Bud (-89.99427, 38.21172)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 506 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.82 | $83.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.17 | $94.33 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $51.61 | $103.23 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $58.82 | $117.64 |
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.