How far is Chicago, IL from Shelbyville, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Shelbyville, IL is about 206.5 miles (332.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 179.1 miles (288.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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
206.45 mi
04h 04m
Flight
179.1 mi
288.24 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
179.1 mi
Kilometers
288.24 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
206.45 mi
Kilometers
332.25 km
Drive Time
04h 04m

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 04h 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Shelbyville
Sun, Apr 19, 2:43 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Sun, Apr 19, 6:48 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-18T22:38
Arrive Shelbyville
Sun, Apr 19, 2:43 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:05 AM to 12:05 PM CDT

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

Leave by
8:50 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chicago
9:00 PM CDT
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
Loda
IL

Township in Iroquois County, Illinois

From Chicago
103.3 mi
02h 02m
To Shelbyville
103.2 mi
02h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WSW
Destination
67°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 17 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    168.6 mi · 3 hr 6 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 16 West: Mattoon

    2489 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Charleston Avenue East

    2.9 mi · 6 min · Charleston Avenue East

  13. 13

    Turn left onto South 21st Street

    1164 ft · 24 sec · South 21st Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Marshall Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Marshall Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Route 16

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Route 16

  16. 16

    Continue on Marshall Avenue

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Marshall Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on Illinois Route 16

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Illinois Route 16

  18. 18

    Continue on South 1st Street

    5.2 mi · 8 min · South 1st Street

  19. 19

    Continue on Kentucky Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Kentucky Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on 2900 East

    10.2 mi · 15 min · 2900 East

  21. 21

    Continue on East Main Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
169 mi · 82%
2900 East
10.2 mi · 5%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
8.83 mi · 4%
South 1st Street
5.19 mi · 3%
Marshall Avenue
3.44 mi · 2%
Charleston Avenue East
2.89 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis

169 mi · 03h 06m

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
04h 04m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.4 mi
179.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Loda
02h 02m from Chicago
Leave By
8:50 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Shelbyville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 206.5 miles (332.3 km) and usually takes 04h 04m 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?

Loda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.3 miles from Chicago and 103.2 miles from Shelbyville.

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

The direct path is about 179.1 miles (288.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.4 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:50 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.49 one way or $54.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Shelbyville.

Stop Ideas Near Loda

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

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

RAIL

Rantoul

24 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
RAIL

Gilman

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

Illinois Terminal

47 mi away
45 East University Ave.
BUS

Danville, Illinois

58 mi away
379 Lynch Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Shelbyville. Straight-line distance: 179.1 mi (288.24 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
Shelbyville

#2 Shelbyville

Township in Shelby County, Illinois

Population4,420
Coordinates39.4064300, -88.7900700
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Shelbyville (-88.79007, 39.40643)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 332 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.29 gal
27.58 L · about $27.49
Round trip
$54.98
14.58 gal · 55.16 L
Estimated CO2
64.8 kg one way
Round trip: 129.6 kg / 286 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.49 $54.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.00 $62.01
Premium $4.65 $33.93 $67.86
Diesel $5.30 $38.67 $77.33

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 Shelbyville. The current time is 22:38:45.

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.