How far is Fox Lake, IL from Crystal Lake, IL?
The driving distance from Fox Lake, IL to Crystal Lake, IL is about 18 miles (29 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 57m 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 28m.
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.
City in Illinois
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 Fox Lake and Crystal Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fox Lake and Crystal Lake.
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1
Start on the route
20 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right
18 m · 9 sec
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3
Turn left
4.1 mi · 5 min
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4
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 1 min
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5
Continue straight
906 ft · 17 sec
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6
Turn right onto West Belvidere Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · West Belvidere Road
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7
Continue on Rand Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Rand Road
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8
Continue on Elm Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Elm Street
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9
Turn left onto Chapel Hill Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Chapel Hill Road
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10
Continue on North River Road
1.4 km · 2 min · North River Road
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11
Turn right onto Charles J Miller Road
1 mi · 2 min · Charles J Miller Road
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12
Continue on Bull Valley Road
1863 ft · 37 sec · Bull Valley Road
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13
Turn left onto South Front Street
5.1 mi · 8 min · South Front Street
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14
Turn right onto East Terra Cotta Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · East Terra Cotta Avenue
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15
Turn left onto North Main Street
2641 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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16
Turn right onto East Crystal Lake Avenue
8 m · 1 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fox Lake 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.
South Front Street
Turn left onto South Front Street
5.12 mi · 00h 08m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fox Lake 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 Fox Lake to Crystal Lake?
The road trip is about 18 miles (29 km) and usually takes 00h 28m 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?
McHenry is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.8 miles from Fox Lake and 8.2 miles from Crystal Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.94 one way or $5.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Fox Lake and Rain Showers near Crystal Lake.
Stop Ideas Near McHenry
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 McHenry.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fox Lake and Crystal Lake. Straight-line distance: 12.7 mi (20.44 km).
#1 Fox Lake
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 10,411 |
| Coordinates | 42.3966900, -88.1837000 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| 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: 29 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $2.94 | $5.88 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $3.33 | $6.67 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $3.68 | $7.35 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $4.14 | $8.28 |
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