How far is Crystal Lake, IL from Chatham, IL?

The driving distance from Crystal Lake, IL to Chatham, IL is about 58.1 miles (93.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 50 miles (80.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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
58.07 mi
01h 30m
Flight
49.99 mi
80.45 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Crystal Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
49.99 mi
Kilometers
80.45 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
58.07 mi
Kilometers
93.46 km
Drive Time
01h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chatham
Sat, Nov 7, 1:52 PM CST
Return by in Crystal Lake
Sat, Nov 7, 3:23 PM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Crystal Lake
2026-11-07T12:22
Arrive Chatham
Sat, Nov 7, 1:52 PM CST
Route Timing
01h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:31 AM to 11:31 AM CST

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

Leave by
3:28 PM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Crystal Lake
9:30 PM CST
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
Des Plaines
IL

The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.

From Crystal Lake
29 mi
00h 45m
To Chatham
29.1 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM CST
Wind
5 to 10 mph WNW
Destination
34°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 12:00 AM CST
Wind
5 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Crystal Lake and Chatham.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Crystal Lake and Chatham.

  1. 1

    Start on East Crystal Lake Avenue

    8 m · 5 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Northwest Highway

    6.2 mi · 11 min · Northwest Highway

  4. 4

    Turn left onto State Route 22

    4.9 mi · 8 min · State Route 22

  5. 5

    Continue on West Main Street

    1933 ft · 49 sec · West Main Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Rand Road

    4.4 mi · 5 min · Rand Road

  7. 7

    Continue on North Rand Road

    4.5 mi · 7 min · North Rand Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Palatine Road

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Palatine Road

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 45, IL 21: Milwaukee Avenue

    104 m · 9 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto East Palatine Road

    3061 ft · 1 min · East Palatine Road

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Milwaukee Avenue

    4.4 mi · 7 min · Milwaukee Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on North Milwaukee Avenue

    3.7 mi · 6 min · North Milwaukee Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West Touhy Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · West Touhy Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Caldwell Avenue

    2.4 mi · 4 min · North Caldwell Avenue

  15. 15

    Take the ramp straight toward I 94 East

    1370 ft · 35 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Edens Expressway

    2.1 mi · 2 min · Edens Expressway

  17. 17

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  18. 18

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  19. 19

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

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

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward 83rd Street

    991 ft · 28 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on 83rd Street

    938 ft · 23 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto South Lafayette Avenue

    117 m · 10 sec · South Lafayette Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto West 83rd Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · West 83rd Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto South Rhodes Avenue

    669 ft · 31 sec · South Rhodes Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn right onto East 84th Street

    66 m · 15 sec · East 84th Street

  26. 26

    Turn left

    96 m · 23 sec

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Crystal Lake and Chatham.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
27 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
46.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Kennedy Expressway
8.12 mi · 14%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.77 mi · 12%
Northwest Highway
6.25 mi · 11%
State Route 22
4.95 mi · 9%
North Rand Road
4.46 mi · 8%
Rand Road
4.42 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

Kennedy Expressway

Continue on Kennedy Expressway

8.12 mi · 00h 12m

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 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.1 mi
50 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Des Plaines
00h 45m from Crystal Lake
Leave By
3:28 PM CST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Crystal Lake and Mostly Clear near Chatham.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Crystal Lake to Chatham?

The road trip is about 58.1 miles (93.5 km) and usually takes 01h 30m 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?

Des Plaines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29 miles from Crystal Lake and 29.1 miles from Chatham.

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

The direct path is about 50 miles (80.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:28 PM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.35 one way or $18.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Crystal Lake and Mostly Clear near Chatham.

Stop Ideas Near Des Plaines

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

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

RAIL

Glenview station

8 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

La Grange Road

24 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

27 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

27 mi away
225 South Canal Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Crystal Lake and Chatham. Straight-line distance: 49.99 mi (80.45 km).

Crystal Lake

#1 Crystal Lake

City located in McHenry County, Illinois, USA

Population39,642
Coordinates42.2411300, -88.3162000
Altitude279
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Chatham

Chatham is a place in Illinois, United States.

Population0
Coordinates41.7411500, -87.6125500
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Start: Crystal Lake (-88.3162, 42.24113)
End: Chatham (-87.61255, 41.74115)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 93 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.05 gal
7.76 L · about $9.35
Round trip
$18.70
4.1 gal · 15.52 L
Estimated CO2
18.2 kg one way
Round trip: 36.4 kg / 80 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.56 $9.35 $18.70
Mid-grade $5.19 $10.63 $21.27
Premium $5.75 $11.79 $23.57
Diesel $6.56 $13.45 $26.90

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 · Nov 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Crystal Lake and Chatham. The current time is 12:22:18.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.