How far is Chicago, IL from Saint Joseph, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Saint Joseph, IL is about 143.7 miles (231.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 121.9 miles (196.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 34m 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
143.75 mi
02h 47m
Flight
121.83 mi
196.07 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
121.83 mi
Kilometers
196.07 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
143.75 mi
Kilometers
231.34 km
Drive Time
02h 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 02h 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Joseph
Thu, Apr 16, 3:33 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Thu, Apr 16, 6:20 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-16T00:45
Arrive Saint Joseph
Thu, Apr 16, 3:33 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:47 AM to 12:47 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:56 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
Clifton
IL

Village in Chebanse Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, USA

From Chicago
71.9 mi
01h 23m
To Saint Joseph
71.8 mi
01h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph WSW
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 18 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Saint Joseph.

  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 left to continue on I 90, I 94 East: Indiana

    929 ft · 23 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway

    1.2 km · 48 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

    117.8 mi · 2 hr 11 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Market Street

    1379 ft · 27 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left

    29 m · 5 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Market Street

    3.2 mi · 5 min · Market Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East Marketview Drive

    1336 ft · 40 sec · East Marketview Drive

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Neil Street

    1475 ft · 42 sec · North Neil Street

  16. 16

    Take the ramp left

    1410 ft · 34 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    10.5 mi · 12 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Saint Joseph

    1594 ft · 39 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto North Main Street

    2798 ft · 56 sec · North Main Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
118 mi · 82%
North Neil Street
11.3 mi · 8%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 6%
Market Street
3.43 mi · 2%
Dan Ryan Expressway
0.74 mi · 1%
North Main Street
0.53 mi
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

118 mi · 02h 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
02h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.8 mi
121.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clifton
01h 23m from Chicago
Leave By
12:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Chicago and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Saint Joseph.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Saint Joseph?

The road trip is about 143.7 miles (231.3 km) and usually takes 02h 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?

Clifton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.9 miles from Chicago and 71.8 miles from Saint Joseph.

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

The direct path is about 121.9 miles (196.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.12 one way or $38.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Chicago and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Saint Joseph.

Stop Ideas Near Clifton

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

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

RAIL

Gilman

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

Kankakee

21 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

45 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

59 mi away
721 West Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Saint Joseph. Straight-line distance: 121.83 mi (196.07 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 Saint Joseph

Human settlement in Champaign County, Illinois, United States of America

Population3,800
Coordinates40.1117000, -88.0417000
Altitude205
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Saint Joseph (-88.0417, 40.1117)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 231 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.07 gal
19.2 L · about $19.12
Round trip
$38.24
10.14 gal · 38.4 L
Estimated CO2
45.1 kg one way
Round trip: 90.1 kg / 199 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.12 $38.24
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.56 $43.13
Premium $4.65 $23.60 $47.19
Diesel $5.30 $26.89 $53.78

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Chicago and Saint Joseph. The current time is 00:45:58.

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.