How far is Crystal Lake, IL from North Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Crystal Lake, IL to North Chicago, IL is about 29.6 miles (47.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 25 miles (40.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 43m 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
29.58 mi
00h 51m
Flight
24.97 mi
40.19 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
24.97 mi
Kilometers
40.19 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
29.58 mi
Kilometers
47.6 km
Drive Time
00h 51m

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 00h 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Chicago
Thu, Oct 15, 1:21 PM CDT
Return by in Crystal Lake
Thu, Oct 15, 2:13 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Crystal Lake
2026-10-15T12:29
Arrive North Chicago
Thu, Oct 15, 1:21 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:52 AM to 10:52 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Crystal Lake
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
Gilmer
IL

Unincorporated community in Illinois

From Crystal Lake
14.7 mi
00h 25m
To North Chicago
14.9 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Today

Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 11:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph ESE
Destination
60°F
Thursday

Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Crystal Lake and North Chicago.

  1. 1

    Start on East Crystal Lake Avenue

    8 m · 8 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    2641 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Terra Cotta Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · East Terra Cotta Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on West State Road

    7.8 mi · 14 min · West State Road

  5. 5

    Continue on West Liberty Street

    4.6 mi · 9 min · West Liberty Street

  6. 6

    Turn right

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    46 m · 4 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Schank Avenue

    797 ft · 24 sec · Schank Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on Ivanhoe Road

    2 mi · 3 min · Ivanhoe Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Peterson Road

    3.5 mi · 6 min · Peterson Road

  11. 11

    Continue on Buckley Road

    6 mi · 9 min · Buckley Road

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Bobby E. Thompson Expressway

    1.4 km · 60 sec · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway

  13. 13

    Continue on Sheridan Road

    2526 ft · 39 sec · Sheridan Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Broadway

    654 ft · 24 sec · Broadway

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Park Avenue

    63 m · 10 sec · Park Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Fellows Place

    14 m · 2 sec · Fellows Place

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Fellows Place

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
57.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West State Road
7.85 mi · 27%
Buckley Road
5.96 mi · 20%
West Liberty Street
4.63 mi · 16%
Peterson Road
3.54 mi · 12%
Ivanhoe Road
1.99 mi · 7%
East Terra Cotta Avenue
1.51 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

West State Road

Continue on West State Road

7.85 mi · 00h 14m

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
00h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.6 mi
25 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gilmer
00h 25m from Crystal Lake
Leave By
4:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Crystal Lake and Rain Showers near North Chicago.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Crystal Lake to North Chicago?

The road trip is about 29.6 miles (47.6 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?

Gilmer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.7 miles from Crystal Lake and 14.9 miles from North Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 25 miles (40.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 4:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.85 one way or $9.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Crystal Lake and Rain Showers near North Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Gilmer

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

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

RAIL

Glenview station

27 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

La Grange Road

49 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Naperville

51 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

52 mi away
225 South Canal Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Crystal Lake and North Chicago. Straight-line distance: 24.97 mi (40.19 km).

Crystal Lake

#1 Crystal Lake

City located in McHenry County, Illinois, USA

Population39,642
Coordinates42.2411300, -88.3162000
Altitude279
CountryUnited States
North Chicago

#2 North Chicago

City and suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA

Population29,639
Coordinates42.3255800, -87.8411800
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Start: Crystal Lake (-88.3162, 42.24113)
End: North Chicago (-87.84118, 42.32558)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 48 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.04 gal
3.95 L · about $4.85
Round trip
$9.70
2.08 gal · 7.9 L
Estimated CO2
9.2 kg one way
Round trip: 18.5 kg / 41 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.67 $4.85 $9.70
Mid-grade $5.29 $5.50 $11.01
Premium $5.84 $6.07 $12.14
Diesel $6.57 $6.83 $13.67

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

There is no time difference between Crystal Lake and North Chicago. The current time is 12:29:59.

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.