How far is Chicago, IL from South Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to South Chicago, IL is about 12.8 miles (20.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 9.1 miles (14.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 43m 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 21m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and South Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and South Chicago.
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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)
3.8 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East
2183 ft · 53 sec
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11
Merge slight right onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
2612 ft · 50 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago Skyway
4.5 mi · 7 min · Chicago Skyway
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13
Turn straight onto Chicago Skyway
591 ft · 14 sec · Chicago Skyway
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14
Merge slight left onto Chicago Skyway
1651 ft · 40 sec · Chicago Skyway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Anthony Avenue, 92nd Street
1381 ft · 34 sec
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16
Turn left onto South Anthony Avenue
110 m · 10 sec · South Anthony Avenue
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17
Turn left onto East 92nd Street
1409 ft · 50 sec · East 92nd Street
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18
Turn left onto South Commercial Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South Commercial Avenue
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19
Turn left onto East 86th Street
829 ft · 39 sec · East 86th Street
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20
Turn right
66 m · 16 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and South Chicago.
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.
Chicago Skyway
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago Skyway
4.54 mi · 00h 07m
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.
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near South Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to South Chicago?
The road trip is about 12.8 miles (20.6 km) and usually takes 00h 21m 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?
Calumet is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.4 miles from Chicago and 6.4 miles from South Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 9.1 miles (14.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.7 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 7:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.70 one way or $3.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4 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 South Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Calumet
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 Calumet.
Hammond–Whiting station
Chicago Union Station
Homewood
Gary, IN
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and South Chicago. Straight-line distance: 9.08 mi (14.61 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 South Chicago
Former township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 28,095 |
| Coordinates | 41.7397700, -87.5542500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Chicago (-87.55425, 41.73977)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 21 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.70 | $3.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $1.91 | $3.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.09 | $4.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.39 | $4.77 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.