How far is Fairbury, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Fairbury, IL to Chicago, IL is about 103.5 miles (166.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.4 miles (142.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 48m 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 01h 54m.
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.
Village in Illinois, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fairbury and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairbury and Chicago.
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1
Start on North 2nd Street
1280 ft · 58 sec · North 2nd Street
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2
Turn right onto West Oak Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · West Oak Street
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3
Continue on East 800 North Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · East 800 North Road
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4
Continue on East 3100 North Road
2 mi · 3 min · East 3100 North Road
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5
Turn right onto North 3360 East Road
1 mi · 2 min · North 3360 East Road
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6
Continue on North 1600 East Road
7.3 mi · 10 min · North 1600 East Road
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7
Continue on South Manlove Street
1352 ft · 30 sec · South Manlove Street
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8
Turn left onto East Torrance Avenue
1644 ft · 35 sec · East Torrance Avenue
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9
Turn right onto South Mill Street
2641 ft · 58 sec · South Mill Street
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10
Turn left onto West Reynolds Street
1.2 km · 1 min · West Reynolds Street
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11
Turn right
754 ft · 14 sec
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12
Continue straight
1944 ft · 39 sec
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13
Continue on Old Route 66
2100 ft · 46 sec · Old Route 66
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14
Turn left onto West Custer Avenue
682 ft · 19 sec · West Custer Avenue
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15
Continue on North 1500 East Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · North 1500 East Road
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16
Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Joliet
2198 ft · 54 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
85.7 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
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18
Continue on Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Stevenson Expressway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
912 ft · 24 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Damen Avenue
1372 ft · 34 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
134 m · 13 sec
-
22
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South Damen Avenue
-
23
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
2973 ft · 2 min · South Blue Island Avenue
-
24
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Cermak Road
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25
Turn right
46 m · 11 sec
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26
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairbury and Chicago.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
85.7 mi · 01h 39m
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.
Sunny leaving Fairbury and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fairbury to Chicago?
The road trip is about 103.5 miles (166.5 km) and usually takes 01h 54m 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?
Diamond is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.7 miles from Fairbury and 47.7 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.4 miles (142.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 2:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.76 one way or $27.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fairbury and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Diamond
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 Diamond.
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Kankakee
Plano
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairbury and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 88.43 mi (142.32 km).
#1 Fairbury
City in Livingston County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 3,596 |
| Coordinates | 40.7472600, -88.5147800 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| 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: 167 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.76 | $27.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.52 | $31.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.99 | $33.97 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.36 | $38.72 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.