How far is Crystal Lake, IL from Chicago Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Crystal Lake, IL to Chicago Heights, IL is about 72.3 miles (116.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 61.7 miles (99.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 31m 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 45m.
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.
A city in DuPage County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Crystal Lake and Chicago Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crystal Lake and Chicago Heights.
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1
Start on East Crystal Lake Avenue
8 m · 5 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
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2
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
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3
Continue on Pyott Road
3 mi · 5 min · Pyott Road
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4
Turn left onto West Algonquin Road
7.8 mi · 13 min · West Algonquin Road
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5
Turn straight onto Dundee Road
1483 ft · 30 sec · Dundee Road
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6
Continue on Algonquin Road
2.2 mi · 4 min · Algonquin Road
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7
Turn right onto North Barrington Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · North Barrington Road
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8
Take the ramp left
2915 ft · 38 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
2618 ft · 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
1686 ft · 41 sec
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12
Continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
1362 ft · 33 sec
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13
Merge slight left
5.7 mi · 7 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East: Chicago
9.3 mi · 12 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1648 ft · 40 sec
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16
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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18
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
42 m · 2 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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21
Continue on Mile-Long Bridge
1.5 km · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge
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22
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
15.1 mi · 19 min · Tri-State Tollway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Tri-State Tollway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward IL 1: Halsted Street
1185 ft · 29 sec
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25
Keep slight right to continue on IL 1 South: Halsted Street
2096 ft · 51 sec
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26
Turn straight onto Halsted Street
4.8 mi · 10 min · Halsted Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Halsted Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Crystal Lake and Chicago Heights.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
15.1 mi · 00h 19m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Crystal Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms near Chicago Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Crystal Lake to Chicago Heights?
The road trip is about 72.3 miles (116.4 km) and usually takes 01h 45m 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?
Elmhurst is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.2 miles from Crystal Lake and 36.2 miles from Chicago Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 61.7 miles (99.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.6 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 2:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.90 one way or $23.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Crystal Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms near Chicago Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Elmhurst
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 Elmhurst.
La Grange Road
Summit
Glenview station
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Crystal Lake and Chicago Heights. Straight-line distance: 61.68 mi (99.27 km).
#1 Crystal Lake
City located in McHenry County, Illinois, USA
| Population | 39,642 |
| Coordinates | 42.2411300, -88.3162000 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chicago Heights
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 28,990 |
| Coordinates | 41.5061500, -87.6356000 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chicago Heights (-87.6356, 41.50615)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 116 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $11.90 | $23.79 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $13.49 | $26.99 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $14.88 | $29.77 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $16.76 | $33.51 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026