How far is Chicago, IL from Virden, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Virden, IL is about 224 miles (360.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 196.6 miles (316.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 40m 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 04h 20m.
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.
City in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Virden.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Virden.
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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 right to continue on I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive
1820 ft · 44 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: St Louis
2604 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Stevenson Expressway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Stevenson Expressway
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10
Continue on Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
1739 ft · 27 sec · Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
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11
Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway
128.7 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
10.5 mi · 11 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 104: Pawnee, Auburn
2591 ft · 51 sec
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15
Turn right
5.9 mi · 10 min
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16
Turn left
6.2 mi · 10 min
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Springfield Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Virden.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway
129 mi · 02h 26m
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 Mostly Sunny near Virden.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Virden?
The road trip is about 224 miles (360.5 km) and usually takes 04h 20m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112 miles from Chicago and 112 miles from Virden.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 196.6 miles (316.4 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 8:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.79 one way or $59.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Virden.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
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 Lexington.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Virden. Straight-line distance: 196.61 mi (316.41 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 Virden
City in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 3,302 |
| Coordinates | 39.5008900, -89.7678700 |
| Altitude | 206 |
| Country | United States |
End: Virden (-89.76787, 39.50089)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 361 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.79 | $59.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.60 | $67.20 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.77 | $73.53 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.90 | $83.80 |
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.