How far is Frankfort, IL from Palatine, IL?
The driving distance from Frankfort, IL to Palatine, IL is about 330.9 miles (532.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 294.5 miles (474 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 13m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Frankfort and Palatine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frankfort and Palatine.
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1
Start on East Saint Louis Street
30 m · 9 sec · East Saint Louis Street
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2
Turn left onto North Benton Road
788 ft · 37 sec · North Benton Road
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3
Turn right onto East Main Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Main Street
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
6 m · 1 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
1714 ft · 42 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
31 mi · 34 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185.5 mi · 3 hr 21 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
1718 ft · 33 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
98 m · 8 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.3 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 290 West: Rockford
1.4 km · 2 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Saint Charles Road West
1751 ft · 43 sec
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17
Merge slight left
13.4 mi · 17 min
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18
Keep slight left
2.2 mi · 3 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward Kirchoff Road
1873 ft · 50 sec
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20
Turn left onto Kirchoff Road
853 ft · 25 sec · Kirchoff Road
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21
Turn right onto West Frontage Road
122 m · 9 sec · West Frontage Road
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22
Continue on Hicks Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Hicks Road
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23
Turn left onto East Northwest Highway
1662 ft · 55 sec · East Northwest Highway
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24
Turn left onto East Palatine Road
22 m · 1 sec · East Palatine Road
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Palatine Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Frankfort and Palatine.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185 mi · 03h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Frankfort and Showers And Thunderstorms near Palatine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Frankfort to Palatine?
The road trip is about 330.9 miles (532.5 km) and usually takes 06h 13m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tolono is a useful midpoint, sitting about 165.5 miles from Frankfort and 165.3 miles from Palatine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 294.5 miles (474 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.4 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.05 one way or $88.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 103.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Frankfort and Showers And Thunderstorms near Palatine.
Stop Ideas Near Tolono
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 Tolono.
Illinois Terminal
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Mattoon station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Frankfort and Palatine. Straight-line distance: 294.5 mi (473.95 km).
#1 Frankfort
County seat city in Franklin County, Kentucky, USA and Kentucky federated state capital city
| Population | 19,411 |
| Coordinates | 37.9000500, -88.9022900 |
| Altitude | 145 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Palatine
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 66,830 |
| Coordinates | 42.1103000, -88.0342400 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palatine (-88.03424, 42.1103)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 533 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $44.05 | $88.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.68 | $99.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $54.36 | $108.72 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $61.95 | $123.90 |
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.