How far is Harrisburg, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Harrisburg, IL to Chicago, IL is about 339.9 miles (547 km), with a travel time of about 05h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 288 miles (463.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 24m 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 05h 12m.
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.
Township in Douglas County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Harrisburg and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harrisburg and Chicago.
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1
Start on West Poplar Street
27 m · 10 sec · West Poplar Street
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2
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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3
Continue straight
30.5 mi · 46 min
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Public Square
124 m · 10 sec · West Main Street
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5
Exit the rotary onto West Main Street
3144 ft · 55 sec · West Main Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right
1685 ft · 41 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
24 mi · 26 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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10
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.2 mi · 9 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
1620 ft · 40 sec
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13
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
74 m · 7 sec · South Ruble Street
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14
Turn slight left
23 m · 5 sec
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15
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
887 ft · 26 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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16
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
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17
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
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18
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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19
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Harrisburg and Chicago.
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
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg to Chicago?
The road trip is about 339.9 miles (547 km) and usually takes 05h 12m 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?
Arcola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 165.2 miles from Harrisburg and 174.7 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 288 miles (463.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.21 one way or $90.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 106.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Harrisburg and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Arcola
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 Arcola.
Mattoon station
Illinois Terminal
Effingham
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Harrisburg and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 287.99 mi (463.47 km).
#1 Harrisburg
County seat of Saline County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 8,404 |
| Coordinates | 37.7383800, -88.5406100 |
| Altitude | 121 |
| 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: 547 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $45.21 | $90.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $50.99 | $101.99 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $55.80 | $111.60 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $63.59 | $127.19 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.