How far is Chicago, IL from Riverdale, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Riverdale, IL is about 17.8 miles (28.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15 miles (24.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 30m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Former township in Cook County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Riverdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Riverdale.
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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)
8.3 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 12, US 20: 95th Street, Chicago State University
1306 ft · 32 sec
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11
Turn straight onto South Lafayette Avenue
697 ft · 16 sec · South Lafayette Avenue
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12
Turn left onto West 95th Street
1265 ft · 33 sec · West 95th Street
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13
Turn right onto South Michigan Avenue
4 mi · 7 min · South Michigan Avenue
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 127th Street
635 ft · 13 sec · East 127th Street
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15
Turn right onto South Indiana Avenue
1552 ft · 32 sec · South Indiana Avenue
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16
Turn left onto East 130th Street
105 m · 11 sec · East 130th Street
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17
Turn right onto South Indiana Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · South Indiana Avenue
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18
Turn right onto East 144th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · East 144th Street
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19
Continue on West 144th Street
101 m · 15 sec · West 144th Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 144th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Riverdale.
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.
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.34 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Riverdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Riverdale?
The road trip is about 17.8 miles (28.6 km) and usually takes 00h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
South Chicago is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.9 miles from Chicago and 8.9 miles from Riverdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15 miles (24.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.38 one way or $4.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Riverdale.
Stop Ideas Near South Chicago
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 South Chicago.
Hammond–Whiting station
Chicago Union Station
Homewood
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Riverdale. Straight-line distance: 14.99 mi (24.13 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 Riverdale
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 12,912 |
| Coordinates | 41.6333700, -87.6331000 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
End: Riverdale (-87.6331, 41.63337)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 29 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.38 | $4.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.68 | $5.36 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.93 | $5.86 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.34 | $6.68 |
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.