How far is Chicago, IL from Shields, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Shields, IL is about 264.6 miles (425.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 240.3 miles (386.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 31m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Shields.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Shields.
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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)
8.8 mi · 12 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
195.9 mi · 3 hr 35 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham
1753 ft · 35 sec
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12
Turn left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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13
Turn right onto East Fayette Avenue
1123 ft · 33 sec · East Fayette Avenue
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14
Turn left onto South Banker Street
14.9 mi · 22 min · South Banker Street
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15
Continue on County Road 925 East
16.2 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 East
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16
Turn slight right
39 m · 5 sec
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17
Merge slight left
7.5 mi · 9 min
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18
Turn left onto Xenia Iola Road
1425 ft · 40 sec · Xenia Iola Road
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19
Continue on Church Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Church Street
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20
Continue on Front Street
635 ft · 23 sec · Front Street
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21
Turn left onto South Main Street
887 ft · 24 sec · South Main Street
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22
Keep slight left to continue on South Main Street
58 m · 5 sec · South Main Street
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23
Continue on Fairfield Street
999 ft · 27 sec · Fairfield Street
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24
Continue on Fairfield Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · Fairfield Road
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25
Continue on County Highway 13
1304 ft · 36 sec · County Highway 13
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26
Continue on County Road 300E
1.2 km · 2 min · County Road 300E
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27
Keep slight right to continue on County Highway 13
1.5 mi · 4 min · County Highway 13
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28
Continue on County Road 250E
4.8 mi · 11 min · County Road 250E
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29
Continue on County Highway 13
3.2 mi · 8 min · County Highway 13
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30
Turn right onto County Road 1420N
1.4 km · 2 min · County Road 1420N
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31
Continue on County Road 1430N
1125 ft · 31 sec · County Road 1430N
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32
Continue on County Highway 15
1794 ft · 49 sec · County Highway 15
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33
Continue on County Road 1450N
1.2 km · 2 min · County Road 1450N
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34
Continue on County Highway 15
2659 ft · 1 min · County Highway 15
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35
Continue on East Depeche Road
1.1 km · 2 min · East Depeche Road
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36
Turn slight right onto 2350 North
570 ft · 31 sec · 2350 North
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37
Turn left onto North Papertown Lane
14 m · 2 sec · North Papertown Lane
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Papertown Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Shields.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 57 South
Keep slight right to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
196 mi · 03h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Sunny near Shields.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Shields?
The road trip is about 264.6 miles (425.9 km) and usually takes 05h 31m 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?
Champaign is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.4 miles from Chicago and 132.2 miles from Shields.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 240.3 miles (386.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.3 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 5:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.22 one way or $70.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Sunny near Shields.
Stop Ideas Near Champaign
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 Champaign.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Shields. Straight-line distance: 240.33 mi (386.78 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 Shields
Township in Lake County, Illinois
| Population | 36,451 |
| Coordinates | 38.4678300, -88.7133900 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shields (-88.71339, 38.46783)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 426 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $35.22 | $70.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.72 | $79.45 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $43.47 | $86.94 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $49.54 | $99.08 |
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.