How far is Jackson, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Jackson, IL to Chicago, IL is about 244.8 miles (393.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216.2 miles (347.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 56m 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 28m.
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.
Village in Newell Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jackson and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson and Chicago.
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1
Start on 990N
737 ft · 20 sec · 990N
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2
Turn right
1266 ft · 22 sec
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3
Take the ramp straight
9 mi · 11 min
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4
Take the exit slight right toward US 41 North, US 150 West: Terre Haute
1043 ft · 36 sec
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5
Continue on North 6th Street
1502 ft · 18 sec · North 6th Street
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6
Continue straight
57.3 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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7
Turn straight onto Chicago
63.3 mi · 1 hr 21 min
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8
Continue straight
80.6 mi · 1 hr 46 min
-
9
Turn left onto West Lincoln Highway
746 ft · 24 sec · West Lincoln Highway
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10
Continue on Joliet Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · Joliet Street
-
11
Continue on Lincoln Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Lincoln Highway
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12
Continue on Glenwood Dyer Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Glenwood Dyer Road
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13
Take the ramp slight right toward IL 394 North
2063 ft · 50 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Calumet Expressway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Calumet Expressway
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15
Continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
7.9 mi · 11 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Bishop Ford Freeway
2.8 mi · 4 min · Bishop Ford Freeway
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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
-
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
-
23
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
-
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 Jackson and Chicago.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
North 6th Street
Continue straight
80.6 mi · 01h 46m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Jackson 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 Jackson to Chicago?
The road trip is about 244.8 miles (393.9 km) and usually takes 04h 28m 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?
Bismarck is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.8 miles from Jackson and 123 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216.2 miles (347.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.6 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 8:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.58 one way or $65.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Jackson and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Bismarck
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 Bismarck.
Danville, Illinois
Rantoul
Illinois Terminal
Crawfordsville (Bus), Indiana
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jackson and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 216.18 mi (347.91 km).
#1 Jackson
County in Illinois, United States
| Population | 18,488 |
| Coordinates | 38.7211600, -87.6503000 |
| Altitude | 144 |
| 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: 394 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.58 | $65.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.75 | $73.49 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.21 | $80.42 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.83 | $91.65 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.