How far is Coal City, IL from Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Coal City, IL to Chicago, IL is about 60.3 miles (97 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 50.9 miles (81.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 16m 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
60.25 mi
01h 08m
Flight
50.88 mi
81.88 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Coal City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
50.88 mi
Kilometers
81.88 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
60.25 mi
Kilometers
96.96 km
Drive Time
01h 08m

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 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chicago
Wed, Apr 22, 9:27 PM CDT
Return by in Coal City
Wed, Apr 22, 10:35 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Coal City
2026-04-22T20:19
Arrive Chicago
Wed, Apr 22, 9:27 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Coal City
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Romeoville
IL

Town

From Coal City
30 mi
00h 34m
To Chicago
30.2 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph WSW
Destination
64°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Coal City and Chicago.

  1. 1

    Start on West Division Street

    2 mi · 4 min · West Division Street

  2. 2

    Continue on West Coal City Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · West Coal City Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward I 55 North: Joliet

    1138 ft · 28 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    50.5 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  5. 5

    Continue on Stevenson Expressway

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Stevenson Expressway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue

    912 ft · 24 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Damen Avenue

    1372 ft · 34 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue

    134 m · 13 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Damen Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue

    2973 ft · 2 min · South Blue Island Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto West Cermak Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · West Cermak Road

  12. 12

    Turn right

    46 m · 11 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right

    794 ft · 58 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Coal City 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
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
50.7 mi · 84%
Stevenson Expressway
3.63 mi · 6%
West Division Street
2.01 mi · 3%
West Coal City Road
0.92 mi · 2%
West Cermak Road
0.83 mi · 1%
South Damen Avenue
0.77 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Merge slight left

50.5 mi · 01h 02m

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 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.4 mi
50.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Romeoville
00h 34m from Coal City
Leave By
4:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Coal City and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Coal City to Chicago?

The road trip is about 60.3 miles (97 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?

Romeoville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30 miles from Coal City and 30.2 miles from Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 50.9 miles (81.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.03 one way or $16.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Coal City and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Romeoville

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Romeoville, 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 Romeoville.

RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

14 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Naperville

15 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

La Grange Road

26 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

28 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Coal City and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 50.88 mi (81.88 km).

Coal City

#1 Coal City

Village in United States of America

Population5,351
Coordinates41.2878100, -88.2856200
Altitude172
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: West Division Street (-88.285617, 41.287738)
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 97 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 12m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.13 gal
8.05 L · about $8.03
Round trip
$16.06
4.26 gal · 16.1 L
Estimated CO2
18.9 kg one way
Round trip: 37.9 kg / 84 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.03 $16.06
Mid-grade $4.25 $9.06 $18.12
Premium $4.65 $9.91 $19.83
Diesel $5.30 $11.30 $22.60

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 Coal City and Chicago. The current time is 20:19:04.

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.