How far is Chicago, IL from Richmond, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Richmond, IL is about 162.9 miles (262.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.3 miles (219.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
162.91 mi
03h 23m
Flight
136.36 mi
219.45 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chicago.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
136.36 mi
Kilometers
219.45 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.91 mi
Kilometers
262.18 km
Drive Time
03h 23m

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 03h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Richmond
Sat, Nov 7, 6:44 AM CST
Return by in Chicago
Sat, Nov 7, 10:07 AM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-11-07T03:21
Arrive Richmond
Sat, Nov 7, 6:44 AM CST
Route Timing
03h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:23 AM to 11:23 AM CST

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:14 AM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chicago
9:00 PM CST
Early departure recommended

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
Odell
IL

Township in Livingston County, Illinois

From Chicago
81.4 mi
01h 41m
To Richmond
81.5 mi
01h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM CST
Wind
5 mph WNW
Destination
52°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM CST
Wind
0 to 6 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    128.7 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    12.2 mi · 13 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 136: McLean, Heyworth

    2361 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Dixie Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Dixie Road

  15. 15

    Continue on East 200 North Road

    6.8 mi · 10 min · East 200 North Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Armington Road

    2 mi · 5 min · Armington Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto East 3rd Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · East 3rd Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Armington Road

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Armington Road

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Grove Road

    1.5 mi · 6 min · Grove Road

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Center Road

    1.4 km · 3 min · Center Road

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Center Road

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
129 mi · 79%
I 55 South
12.7 mi · 8%
East 200 North Road
6.77 mi · 4%
Stevenson Expressway
5.61 mi · 3%
Armington Road
3.17 mi · 2%
Grove Road
1.49 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.6 mi
136.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Odell
01h 41m from Chicago
Leave By
10:14 AM CST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Richmond.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 162.9 miles (262.2 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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?

Odell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.4 miles from Chicago and 81.5 miles from Richmond.

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

The direct path is about 136.3 miles (219.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:14 AM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.49 one way or $52.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Odell

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

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

RAIL

Dwight station

13 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

17 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Gilman

52 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Kankakee

57 mi away
199 South East Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Richmond. Straight-line distance: 136.36 mi (219.45 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Richmond

Richmond is a place in Illinois, United States.

Population0
Coordinates40.3608700, -89.3689800
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Richmond (-89.36898, 40.36087)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 262 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.75 gal
21.76 L · about $26.49
Round trip
$52.98
11.5 gal · 43.52 L
Estimated CO2
51.1 kg one way
Round trip: 102.2 kg / 225 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.61 $26.49 $52.98
Mid-grade $5.24 $30.13 $60.26
Premium $5.79 $33.32 $66.63
Diesel $6.59 $37.90 $75.81

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 · Nov 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Chicago and Richmond. The current time is 03:21:13.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.