How far is Guilford, IL from Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Guilford, IL to Chicago, IL is about 156.3 miles (251.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 141.4 miles (227.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
156.31 mi
02h 51m
Flight
141.34 mi
227.46 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Guilford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
141.34 mi
Kilometers
227.46 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
156.31 mi
Kilometers
251.55 km
Drive Time
02h 51m

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 02h 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 3:01 AM CDT
Return by in Guilford
Thu, Apr 23, 5:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Guilford
2026-04-23T00:09
Arrive Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 3:01 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:52 AM to 12:52 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Guilford
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Cherry Valley
IL

Township in Winnebago County, Illinois

From Guilford
80.9 mi
01h 25m
To Chicago
75.4 mi
01h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Guilford and Chicago.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Guilford and Chicago.

  1. 1

    Start on West Guilford Road

    2046 ft · 56 sec · West Guilford Road

  2. 2

    Continue on West Rawlins Road

    1.9 mi · 5 min · West Rawlins Road

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road

    8.1 mi · 14 min · North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Madison Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · Madison Street

  5. 5

    Continue on West Diagonal Street

    639 ft · 21 sec · West Diagonal Street

  6. 6

    Continue on North Main Street

    2099 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  7. 7

    Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

    4.6 mi · 6 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on East Woodbine Street

    2853 ft · 1 min · East Woodbine Street

  9. 9

    Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

    6.4 mi · 9 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on West North Avenue

    2.1 mi · 4 min · West North Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

    33.2 mi · 42 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on West State Road

    9.8 mi · 11 min · West State Road

  13. 13

    Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

    14.5 mi · 17 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    1 km · 41 sec

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Chicago

    2544 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    19.8 mi · 21 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    40.6 mi · 44 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    1772 ft · 22 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    526 ft · 30 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  20. 20

    Merge slight right onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    123 m · 5 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 171 South: Cumberland Avenue South

    1 mi · 2 min · Cumberland flyover

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on IL 171 South: Cumberland Avenue

    75 m · 8 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right onto North Cumberland Avenue

    874 ft · 28 sec · North Cumberland Avenue

  24. 24

    Continue on North Cumberland Avenue

    2310 ft · 1 min · North Cumberland Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn right onto West Higgins Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Higgins Road

  26. 26

    Turn right onto North Oriole Avenue

    99 m · 14 sec · North Oriole Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn left onto West Higgins Avenue

    2.7 mi · 6 min · West Higgins Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn right onto North Central Avenue

    929 ft · 26 sec · North Central Avenue

  29. 29

    Turn left onto West Lawrence Avenue

    1858 ft · 43 sec · West Lawrence Avenue

  30. 30

    Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue

    3138 ft · 1 min · North Milwaukee Avenue

  31. 31

    Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue

    2904 ft · 1 min · West Montrose Avenue

  32. 32

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East

    1721 ft · 42 sec

  33. 33

    Merge slight left onto Kennedy Expressway

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

  34. 34

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  35. 35

    Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street

    1398 ft · 34 sec

  36. 36

    Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue

    963 ft · 30 sec · South Union Avenue

  37. 37

    Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue

    154 m · 13 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  38. 38

    Turn left onto South Halsted Street

    737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street

  39. 39

    Turn right onto West Cermak Road

    976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road

  40. 40

    Turn left

    46 m · 11 sec

  41. 41

    Turn right

    794 ft · 58 sec

  42. 42

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Guilford and Chicago.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
42 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
60.9 mi · 39%
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
59.3 mi · 38%
West State Road
9.85 mi · 6%
North Elizabeth Scales Mound Road
8.1 mi · 5%
Kennedy Expressway
7.86 mi · 5%
West Higgins Avenue
2.69 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

40.6 mi · 00h 44m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.9 mi
141.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cherry Valley
01h 25m from Guilford
Leave By
12:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Guilford 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 Guilford to Chicago?

The road trip is about 156.3 miles (251.6 km) and usually takes 02h 51m 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?

Cherry Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.9 miles from Guilford and 75.4 miles from Chicago.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 141.4 miles (227.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.9 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 12:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.82 one way or $41.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Guilford and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Cherry Valley

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Cherry Valley, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cherry Valley.

BUS

Rockford, Illinois

5 mi away
7559 Walton St.
BUS

South Beloit, Illinois

29 mi away
15766 Manchester Road
BUS

Janesville, Wisconsin

54 mi away
3120 North Pontiac Drive
RAIL

Plano

72 mi away
101 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Guilford and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 141.34 mi (227.46 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Guilford

Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States

Population1,144
Coordinates42.4175100, -90.3004100
Altitude230
CountryUnited States
Chicago

#2 Chicago

The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.

Population2,677,643
Coordinates41.850033, -87.6500523
Altitude179
CountryUnited States
Start: West Guilford Road (-90.300452, 42.417473)
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 252 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.52 gal
20.88 L · about $20.82
Round trip
$41.63
11.04 gal · 41.76 L
Estimated CO2
49.1 kg one way
Round trip: 98.1 kg / 216 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.82 $41.63
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.48 $46.95
Premium $4.65 $25.69 $51.38
Diesel $5.30 $29.28 $58.56

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

There is no time difference between Guilford and Chicago. The current time is 00:09:55.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.