How far is Chicago, IL from Winchester, IL?

The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Winchester, IL is about 251.5 miles (404.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 212.4 miles (341.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 30m 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
251.49 mi
04h 45m
Flight
212.38 mi
341.79 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
212.38 mi
Kilometers
341.79 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
251.49 mi
Kilometers
404.74 km
Drive Time
04h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Winchester
Thu, Apr 23, 3:51 AM CDT
Return by in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 8:37 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chicago
2026-04-22T23:06
Arrive Winchester
Thu, Apr 23, 3:51 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:45 AM to 12:45 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
7:30 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
Towanda
IL

Township in McLean County, Illinois

From Chicago
125.7 mi
02h 22m
To Winchester
125.8 mi
02h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE
Destination
59°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 right to continue on I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive

    1820 ft · 44 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: St Louis

    2604 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Stevenson Expressway

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Stevenson Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue on Adlai E Stevenson Expressway

    1739 ft · 27 sec · Adlai E Stevenson Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    128.7 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville

    45.4 mi · 49 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 106: Winchester

    2127 ft · 52 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto Old US Route 36

    2178 ft · 42 sec · Old US Route 36

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Old Route 36

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Old Route 36

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Illinois Route 106

    762 ft · 15 sec · Illinois Route 106

  18. 18

    Continue on West Cherry Street

    3273 ft · 1 min · West Cherry Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Cherry Street

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
129 mi · 51%
I 55 South
65.3 mi · 26%
I 72 West
45.4 mi · 18%
Stevenson Expressway
5.61 mi · 2%
Old Route 36
3.53 mi · 1%
West Cherry Street
0.62 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

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 45m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.1 mi
212.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Towanda
02h 22m from Chicago
Leave By
7:30 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Partly Cloudy near Winchester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 251.5 miles (404.7 km) and usually takes 04h 45m 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?

Towanda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.7 miles from Chicago and 125.8 miles from Winchester.

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

The direct path is about 212.4 miles (341.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.1 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 7:30 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.45 one way or $66.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Partly Cloudy near Winchester.

Stop Ideas Near Towanda

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Towanda and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 3 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 5 mi away

City of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 5 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Towanda.

RAIL

Uptown Station

9 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

41 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Lincoln

61 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

68 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Winchester. Straight-line distance: 212.38 mi (341.79 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
Winchester

#2 Winchester

County seat of Scott County, Illinois, USA

Population1,466
Coordinates39.6297700, -90.4562400
Altitude165
CountryUnited States
Start: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
End: Winchester (-90.45624, 39.62977)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 405 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.87 gal
33.59 L · about $33.45
Round trip
$66.90
17.74 gal · 67.18 L
Estimated CO2
78.8 kg one way
Round trip: 157.7 kg / 348 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $33.45 $66.90
Mid-grade $4.25 $37.72 $75.45
Premium $4.65 $41.28 $82.56
Diesel $5.30 $47.05 $94.09

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

There is no time difference between Chicago and Winchester. The current time is 23:06:35.

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.