How far is Chicago, IL from Zion, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Zion, IL is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.3 miles (68 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 18m 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 01h 09m.
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.
Village in Cook 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 Zion.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Zion.
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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
881 ft · 23 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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5
Turn left onto South Ruble Street
676 ft · 23 sec · South Ruble Street
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 West, I 94 West
1758 ft · 43 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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8
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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9
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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11
Continue on Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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12
Continue on South Skokie Highway
5.6 mi · 7 min · South Skokie Highway
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13
Turn right onto Buckley Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road
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14
Turn left onto Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
1.4 km · 60 sec · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
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15
Continue on Sheridan Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · Sheridan Road
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16
Continue on Melvin Amstutz Highway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Melvin Amstutz Highway
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17
Turn left onto West Greenwood Avenue
1713 ft · 32 sec · West Greenwood Avenue
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18
Turn right onto North Sheridan Road
4.3 mi · 9 min · North Sheridan Road
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19
Turn left onto 27th Street
1975 ft · 54 sec · 27th Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 27th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Zion.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Edens Expressway
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 00h 17m
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 Mostly Sunny near Zion.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Zion?
The road trip is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?
Glencoe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.3 miles from Chicago and 24.3 miles from Zion.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.3 miles (68 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 4:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.45 one way or $12.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Zion.
Stop Ideas Near Glencoe
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 Glencoe.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Zion. Straight-line distance: 42.23 mi (67.97 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 Zion
City in Lake County, Illinois, US
| Population | 23,321 |
| Coordinates | 42.4461300, -87.8328500 |
| Altitude | 198 |
| Country | United States |
End: Zion (-87.83285, 42.44613)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.45 | $12.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.27 | $14.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.96 | $15.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $9.07 | $18.14 |
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.