How far is Clifton, IL from Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Clifton, IL to Chicago, IL is about 73.6 miles (118.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 64.9 miles (104.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
73.58 mi
01h 16m
Flight
64.9 mi
104.44 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clifton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
64.9 mi
Kilometers
104.44 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
73.58 mi
Kilometers
118.41 km
Drive Time
01h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chicago
Sun, May 3, 9:32 AM CDT
Return by in Clifton
Sun, May 3, 10:48 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clifton
2026-05-03T08:16
Arrive Chicago
Sun, May 3, 9:32 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:16 AM to 11:16 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Clifton
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Monee
IL

City in Illinois, United States of America

From Clifton
36.7 mi
00h 38m
To Chicago
36.8 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Sunday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph SW
Destination
42°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Sun, May 3 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Main Street

    2460 ft · 55 sec · South Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East 2900 North Road

    2871 ft · 1 min · East 2900 North Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward I-57 North: Kankakee

    1233 ft · 35 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    61.6 mi · 1 hr 11 min

  5. 5

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road

    1620 ft · 40 sec

  8. 8

    Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street

    74 m · 7 sec · South Ruble Street

  9. 9

    Turn slight left

    23 m · 5 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue

    887 ft · 26 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South Halsted Street

    737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West Cermak Road

    976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road

  13. 13

    Turn left

    46 m · 11 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right

    794 ft · 58 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 North
61.9 mi · 84%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.18 mi · 8%
Dan Ryan Expressway
3.33 mi · 5%
East 2900 North Road
0.54 mi · 1%
South Main Street
0.47 mi · 1%
Canalport Avenue
0.31 mi
Longest Stretch

I-57 North

Merge slight left

61.6 mi · 01h 11m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.7 mi
64.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monee
00h 38m from Clifton
Leave By
3:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Clifton and Partly Cloudy near Chicago.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 73.6 miles (118.4 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?

Monee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.7 miles from Clifton and 36.8 miles from Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 64.9 miles (104.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.80 one way or $19.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Clifton and Partly Cloudy near Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Monee

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Monee, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Homewood

17 mi away
18015 Park Ave.
RAIL

Dyer station

21 mi away
913 Sheffield Avenue
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

30 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Kankakee

35 mi away
199 South East Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 64.9 mi (104.44 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Clifton

Village in Chebanse Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, USA

Population1,297
Coordinates40.9353100, -87.9344900
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Chicago

#2 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
Start: South Main Street (-87.934169, 40.935243)
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 118 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.6 gal
9.83 L · about $9.80
Round trip
$19.61
5.2 gal · 19.66 L
Estimated CO2
23.1 kg one way
Round trip: 46.2 kg / 102 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.80 $19.61
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.06 $22.12
Premium $4.65 $12.10 $24.20
Diesel $5.30 $13.79 $27.58

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 · May 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Clifton and Chicago. The current time is 08:16:46.

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.