How far is Downers Grove, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Downers Grove, IL to Chicago, IL is about 25.4 miles (40.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.8 miles (30.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Downers Grove and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Downers Grove and Chicago.
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1
Start on Main Street
11 m · 31 sec · Main Street
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2
Continue on Main Street
2850 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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3
Continue on Highland Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Highland Avenue
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
1419 ft · 35 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
1816 ft · 26 sec · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
6 mi · 8 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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7
Merge slight right onto Eisenhower Expressway
13.2 mi · 18 min · Eisenhower Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
616 ft · 15 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
1203 ft · 29 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.2 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street
1398 ft · 34 sec
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12
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
963 ft · 30 sec · South Union Avenue
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13
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
154 m · 13 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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14
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
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15
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
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16
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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17
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Downers Grove and Chicago.
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.
Eisenhower Expressway
Merge slight right onto Eisenhower Expressway
13.2 mi · 00h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Downers Grove and Sunny near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Downers Grove to Chicago?
The road trip is about 25.4 miles (40.8 km) and usually takes 00h 39m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Maywood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.8 miles from Downers Grove and 13.5 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.8 miles (30.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.36 one way or $6.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Downers Grove and Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Maywood
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 Maywood.
La Grange Road
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Downers Grove and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 18.81 mi (30.27 km).
#1 Downers Grove
Village in Downers Grove, Lisle, and York Townships, DuPage County, Illinois, US
| Population | 48,727 |
| Coordinates | 41.8089200, -88.0111700 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| 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: 41 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.36 | $6.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.79 | $7.57 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.14 | $8.28 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.72 | $9.44 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.