How far is Chicago, IL from Walnut, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Walnut, IL is about 130.6 miles (210.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.3 miles (164.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 42m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Township in Grundy 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 Walnut.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Walnut.
-
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
35.2 mi · 45 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa
1.3 km · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
68.9 mi · 1 hr 14 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 26: Princeton, Dixon
1795 ft · 43 sec
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15
Turn right onto Main Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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16
Continue on County Road 2010 East
1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 2010 East
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17
Continue on 2050 East Street
7.3 mi · 11 min · 2050 East Street
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18
Continue on South Main Street
1281 ft · 27 sec · South Main Street
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19
Turn left onto West Green River Road
5.9 mi · 10 min · West Green River Road
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20
Continue on 2850 North Avenue
1659 ft · 33 sec · 2850 North Avenue
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21
Turn straight onto East North Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East North Street
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22
Turn left onto Main Street
1185 ft · 57 sec · Main Street
-
23
Turn left onto Liberty Street
43 m · 8 sec · Liberty Street
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24
Turn right
19 m · 5 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Walnut.
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 80 West
Merge slight left
68.9 mi · 01h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Sunny near Walnut.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Walnut?
The road trip is about 130.6 miles (210.1 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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?
Nettle Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.2 miles from Chicago and 65.4 miles from Walnut.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.3 miles (164.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.38 one way or $34.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Sunny near Walnut.
Stop Ideas Near Nettle Creek
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 Nettle Creek.
Plano
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Walnut. Straight-line distance: 102.28 mi (164.6 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 Walnut
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,296 |
| Coordinates | 41.5567000, -89.5934300 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| Country | United States |
End: Walnut (-89.59343, 41.5567)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 210 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.38 | $34.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.61 | $39.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.45 | $42.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.45 | $48.90 |
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.