How far is Decatur, IL from Highland Park, IL?
The driving distance from Decatur, IL to Highland Park, IL is about 206.3 miles (332 km), with a travel time of about 04h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.6 miles (277.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 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 04h 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.
Township in Iroquois County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decatur and Highland Park.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur and Highland Park.
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1
Start on East Wood Street
155 m · 23 sec · East Wood Street
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2
Turn left onto South Franklin Street
2129 ft · 46 sec · South Franklin Street
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3
Continue on North Water Street
4 mi · 6 min · North Water Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 72 East: Champaign
2373 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left
40.4 mi · 44 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 57 North: Chicago
1520 ft · 43 sec
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7
Merge slight left
123.5 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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8
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.9 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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10
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.2 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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11
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.5 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Skokie Highway
3 mi · 3 min · Skokie Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Central Avenue East
1471 ft · 36 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Deerfield Road
617 ft · 14 sec · Deerfield Road
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15
Continue on Central Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Central Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Green Bay Road
1185 ft · 26 sec · Green Bay Road
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Green Bay Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decatur and Highland Park.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 57 North
Merge slight left
124 mi · 02h 17m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Highland Park.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decatur to Highland Park?
The road trip is about 206.3 miles (332 km) and usually takes 04h 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?
Ashkum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.1 miles from Decatur and 103.1 miles from Highland Park.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.6 miles (277.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.7 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 8:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.45 one way or $54.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Decatur and Mostly Sunny near Highland Park.
Stop Ideas Near Ashkum
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 Ashkum.
Gilman
Kankakee
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decatur and Highland Park. Straight-line distance: 172.6 mi (277.78 km).
#1 Decatur
The most populous city in Macon County, Illinois.
| Population | 70,007 |
| Coordinates | 39.8403100, -88.9548000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Highland Park
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 29,427 |
| Coordinates | 42.1816900, -87.8003400 |
| Altitude | 212 |
| Country | United States |
End: Highland Park (-87.80034, 42.18169)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 332 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.45 | $54.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.96 | $61.92 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.88 | $67.76 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.61 | $77.23 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.