How far is Downers Grove, IL from Crystal Lake, IL?
The driving distance from Downers Grove, IL to Crystal Lake, IL is about 41 miles (66 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.7 miles (54.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 59m 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 00h 59m.
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.
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Downers Grove and Crystal Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Downers Grove and Crystal Lake.
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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
1.3 mi · 3 min · Highland Avenue
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4
Turn slight left onto IL 56 West
1343 ft · 51 sec
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5
Turn straight onto Butterfield Road
1 km · 1 min · Butterfield Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
1 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
9 mi · 11 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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8
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 7 min
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9
Keep slight left
2.2 mi · 3 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Kirchoff Road
1873 ft · 50 sec
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11
Turn left onto Kirchoff Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Kirchoff Road
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12
Turn right onto South Plum Grove Road
1.9 mi · 4 min · South Plum Grove Road
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13
Turn left onto West Colfax Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · West Colfax Street
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14
Continue on Sterling Avenue
136 m · 20 sec · Sterling Avenue
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15
Turn left onto West Northwest Highway
15.2 mi · 24 min · West Northwest Highway
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16
Turn right onto South Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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17
Turn left onto East Crystal Lake Avenue
8 m · 1 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Downers Grove and Crystal Lake.
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.
West Northwest Highway
Turn left onto West Northwest Highway
15.2 mi · 00h 24m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Downers Grove and Rain Showers near Crystal Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Downers Grove to Crystal Lake?
The road trip is about 41 miles (66 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?
Rolling Meadows is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.6 miles from Downers Grove and 20.4 miles from Crystal Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.7 miles (54.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.3 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 4:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.76 one way or $13.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Downers Grove and Rain Showers near Crystal Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Rolling Meadows
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 Rolling Meadows.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Downers Grove and Crystal Lake. Straight-line distance: 33.72 mi (54.26 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 Crystal Lake
City located in McHenry County, Illinois, USA
| Population | 39,642 |
| Coordinates | 42.2411300, -88.3162000 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Crystal Lake Avenue (-88.316198, 42.241185)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 66 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $6.76 | $13.53 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $7.67 | $15.35 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $8.46 | $16.93 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $9.53 | $19.06 |
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