How far is Chicago, IL from Rolling Meadows, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Rolling Meadows, IL is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 24.7 miles (39.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m 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
28.37 mi
00h 47m
Flight
24.69 mi
39.74 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
24.69 mi
Kilometers
39.74 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
28.37 mi
Kilometers
45.65 km
Drive Time
00h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rolling Meadows
Sun, Apr 19, 8:52 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Sun, Apr 19, 9:40 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-19T08:04
Arrive Rolling Meadows
Sun, Apr 19, 8:52 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:48 AM to 10:48 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:54 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
Harwood Heights
IL

Village in United States of America

From Chicago
14.2 mi
00h 23m
To Rolling Meadows
14.2 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph WNW
Destination
51°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Rolling Meadows.

  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

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Montrose Avenue

    1041 ft · 29 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · West Montrose Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · North Milwaukee Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North Northwest Highway

    21 m · 2 sec · North Northwest Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on North Northwest Highway

    1.6 km · 2 min · North Northwest Highway

  14. 14

    Turn slight left onto West Bryn Mawr Avenue

    1.8 mi · 4 min · West Bryn Mawr Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on West Higgins Road

    3.1 mi · 5 min · West Higgins Road

  16. 16

    Take the ramp right toward I 90 Toll West

    1334 ft · 33 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    6 mi · 7 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Arlington Heights Road

    1803 ft · 44 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right

    152 m · 12 sec

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto North Arlington Heights Road

    647 ft · 15 sec · North Arlington Heights Road

  21. 21

    Turn left onto West Algonquin Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · West Algonquin Road

  22. 22

    Turn right onto South New Wilke Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · South New Wilke Road

  23. 23

    Continue on New Wilke Road

    3174 ft · 1 min · New Wilke Road

  24. 24

    Keep slight right to continue on South Wilke Road

    2760 ft · 1 min · South Wilke Road

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Campbell Street

    2610 ft · 2 min · Campbell Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Bluebird Lane

    77 m · 11 sec · Bluebird Lane

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Bluebird Lane

Car Route Details

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

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
27 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
95.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Kennedy Expressway
7.92 mi · 28%
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
6.01 mi · 21%
West Higgins Road
3.08 mi · 11%
West Bryn Mawr Avenue
1.79 mi · 6%
West Algonquin Road
1.38 mi · 5%
North Milwaukee Avenue
1.14 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Kennedy Expressway

Continue on Kennedy Expressway

7.92 mi · 00h 11m

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
00h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.6 mi
24.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Harwood Heights
00h 23m from Chicago
Leave By
4:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Rolling Meadows.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Rolling Meadows?

The road trip is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?

Harwood Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.2 miles from Chicago and 14.2 miles from Rolling Meadows.

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

The direct path is about 24.7 miles (39.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.6 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 4:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.77 one way or $7.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Rolling Meadows.

Stop Ideas Near Harwood Heights

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

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

RAIL

Glenview station

12 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

17 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

18 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

19 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Rolling Meadows. Straight-line distance: 24.69 mi (39.74 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
Rolling Meadows

#2 Rolling Meadows

City in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Population23,246
Coordinates42.0841900, -88.0131300
Altitude219
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Rolling Meadows (-88.01313, 42.08419)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 46 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1 gal
3.79 L · about $3.77
Round trip
$7.54
2 gal · 7.58 L
Estimated CO2
8.9 kg one way
Round trip: 17.8 kg / 39 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $3.77 $7.54
Mid-grade $4.25 $4.25 $8.51
Premium $4.65 $4.65 $9.31
Diesel $5.30 $5.30 $10.61

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Chicago and Rolling Meadows. The current time is 08:04:31.

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.