How far is Dale, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Dale, IL to Chicago, IL is about 314.5 miles (506.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 270 miles (434.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 00m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dale and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dale and Chicago.
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1
Start on County Road 1165 East
6.8 mi · 10 min · County Road 1165 East
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2
Continue on South Jackson Street
3160 ft · 59 sec · South Jackson Street
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3
Turn left onto Market Street
15.4 mi · 23 min · Market Street
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4
Turn right onto North Main Street
2277 ft · 46 sec · North Main Street
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5
Continue on North Brehm Lane
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Brehm Lane
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6
Continue on County Highway 17
2187 ft · 49 sec · County Highway 17
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7
Turn left
2679 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left
14.4 mi · 16 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.2 mi · 9 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
1620 ft · 40 sec
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14
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
74 m · 7 sec · South Ruble Street
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15
Turn slight left
23 m · 5 sec
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16
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
887 ft · 26 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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17
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
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18
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
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19
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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20
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dale and Chicago.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195 mi · 03h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Dale and Showers And Thunderstorms near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dale to Chicago?
The road trip is about 314.5 miles (506.1 km) and usually takes 05h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tuscola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 157.1 miles from Dale and 157.5 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 270 miles (434.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.86 one way or $83.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Dale and Showers And Thunderstorms near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Tuscola
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 Tuscola.
Illinois Terminal
Mattoon station
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dale and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 270.06 mi (434.62 km).
#1 Dale
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,205 |
| Coordinates | 37.9950500, -88.4917200 |
| Altitude | 122 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chicago
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,677,643 |
| Coordinates | 41.850033, -87.6500523 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 506 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $41.86 | $83.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.21 | $94.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $51.66 | $103.32 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $58.87 | $117.75 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.