How far is Fairfield, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Fairfield, IL to Chicago, IL is about 260.5 miles (419.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 242.8 miles (390.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 48m 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 24m.
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.
The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.
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 Fairfield and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield and Chicago.
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1
Start on South 1st Street
75 m · 12 sec · South 1st Street
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2
Turn left onto West Main Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
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3
Turn right onto County Road 1600E
4 mi · 6 min · County Road 1600E
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4
Continue on Washington Street
1 mi · 2 min · Washington Street
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5
Continue on County Road 1600E
4.6 mi · 7 min · County Road 1600E
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6
Continue on County Road 1800N
1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 1800N
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7
Continue on Central Street
2051 ft · 35 sec · Central Street
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8
Continue on Central Street
2844 ft · 48 sec · Central Street
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9
Continue on County Road 1400E
14.3 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400E
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10
Turn right onto County Road 925 E
16.2 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 E
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11
Continue on United States Route 45
14.9 mi · 22 min · United States Route 45
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12
Turn right onto West Fayette Avenue
1123 ft · 33 sec · West Fayette Avenue
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13
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · South 3rd Street
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14
Take the ramp right toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
2624 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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17
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.2 mi · 9 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
1620 ft · 40 sec
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20
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
74 m · 7 sec · South Ruble Street
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21
Turn slight left
23 m · 5 sec
-
22
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
887 ft · 26 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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23
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
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24
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
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25
Turn left
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 Fairfield 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.
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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield to Chicago?
The road trip is about 260.5 miles (419.2 km) and usually takes 04h 24m 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?
Champaign is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.5 miles from Fairfield and 126 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 242.8 miles (390.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.7 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 8:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.66 one way or $69.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Fairfield and Showers And Thunderstorms near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Champaign
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 Champaign.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fairfield and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 242.74 mi (390.65 km).
#1 Fairfield
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 4,889 |
| Coordinates | 38.3789400, -88.3597700 |
| Altitude | 134 |
| 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: 419 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.66 | $69.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.09 | $78.17 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.77 | $85.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.74 | $97.49 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.