How far is Kankakee, IL from Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Kankakee, IL to Chicago, IL is about 59.1 miles (95.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.6 miles (83.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 08m 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
59.12 mi
01h 04m
Flight
51.61 mi
83.06 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kankakee.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.61 mi
Kilometers
83.06 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
59.12 mi
Kilometers
95.14 km
Drive Time
01h 04m

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 01h 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 7:13 AM CDT
Return by in Kankakee
Thu, Apr 23, 8:17 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kankakee
2026-04-23T06:08
Arrive Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 7:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:04 AM to 11:04 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:22 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kankakee
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
Matteson
IL

Village in United States of America

From Kankakee
28.8 mi
00h 32m
To Chicago
30.3 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 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 Kankakee and Chicago.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Court Street

    122 m · 16 sec · East Court Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Harrison Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · North Harrison Avenue

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Fair Street

    2023 ft · 36 sec · Fair Street

  4. 4

    Continue on North Hobbie Avenue

    3102 ft · 54 sec · North Hobbie Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on South Kinzie Avenue

    2.1 mi · 4 min · South Kinzie Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto I-57 North: Chicago

    1280 ft · 33 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    42.8 mi · 51 min

  8. 8

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road

    1620 ft · 40 sec

  11. 11

    Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street

    74 m · 7 sec · South Ruble Street

  12. 12

    Turn slight left

    23 m · 5 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue

    887 ft · 26 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South Halsted Street

    737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West Cermak Road

    976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road

  16. 16

    Turn left

    46 m · 11 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right

    794 ft · 58 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 North
43 mi · 73%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.18 mi · 10%
Dan Ryan Expressway
3.33 mi · 6%
South Kinzie Avenue
2.14 mi · 4%
North Harrison Avenue
0.78 mi · 1%
North Hobbie Avenue
0.59 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I-57 North

Merge slight left

42.8 mi · 00h 51m

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
01h 04m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.5 mi
51.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Matteson
00h 32m from Kankakee
Leave By
4:22 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Kankakee 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 Kankakee to Chicago?

The road trip is about 59.1 miles (95.1 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?

Matteson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.8 miles from Kankakee and 30.3 miles from Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 51.6 miles (83.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 4:22 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.88 one way or $15.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Kankakee and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Matteson

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Matteson, 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 Matteson.

RAIL

Homewood

7 mi away
18015 Park Ave.
RAIL

Dyer station

16 mi away
913 Sheffield Avenue
RAIL

Hammond–Whiting station

27 mi away
1135 South Calumet Ave.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

31 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kankakee and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 51.61 mi (83.06 km).

Kankakee

#1 Kankakee

City in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States

Population25,668
Coordinates41.1200300, -87.8611500
Altitude200
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: East Court Street (-87.861114, 41.120033)
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 95 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.09 gal
7.9 L · about $7.88
Round trip
$15.76
4.18 gal · 15.8 L
Estimated CO2
18.6 kg one way
Round trip: 37.1 kg / 82 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.88 $15.76
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.89 $17.78
Premium $4.65 $9.73 $19.45
Diesel $5.30 $11.09 $22.17

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 Kankakee and Chicago. The current time is 06:08:59.

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.