How far is Lacon, IL from Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Lacon, IL to Chicago, IL is about 129.1 miles (207.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 107.6 miles (173.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 29m 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
129.05 mi
02h 14m
Flight
107.58 mi
173.13 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lacon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
107.58 mi
Kilometers
173.13 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
129.05 mi
Kilometers
207.68 km
Drive Time
02h 14m

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 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 6:26 AM CDT
Return by in Lacon
Thu, Apr 23, 8:41 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lacon
2026-04-23T04:11
Arrive Chicago
Thu, Apr 23, 6:26 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:15 AM to 12:15 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:00 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lacon
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
Seneca
IL

Village in Illinois

From Lacon
68.5 mi
01h 07m
To Chicago
60.6 mi
01h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 17 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 Lacon and Chicago.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 5th Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 5th Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp right toward Railroad Street

    3267 ft · 57 sec · Railroad Street

  3. 3

    Continue on County Road 1400 East

    17.8 mi · 20 min · County Road 1400 East

  4. 4

    Merge slight right

    8.9 mi · 10 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Joliet

    2040 ft · 44 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    65 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago

    1892 ft · 54 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    36.1 mi · 46 min

  9. 9

    Continue on Stevenson Expressway

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Stevenson Expressway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue

    912 ft · 24 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Damen Avenue

    1372 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue

    134 m · 13 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Damen Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue

    2973 ft · 2 min · South Blue Island Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West Cermak Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · West Cermak Road

  16. 16

    Turn right

    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 Lacon 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
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
65.4 mi · 51%
I 55 North
36.5 mi · 28%
County Road 1400 East
26.7 mi · 21%
Stevenson Expressway
3.63 mi · 3%
5th Street
1.45 mi · 1%
West Cermak Road
0.83 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight left

65 mi · 01h 10m

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 14m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.5 mi
107.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Seneca
01h 07m from Lacon
Leave By
2:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Lacon 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 Lacon to Chicago?

The road trip is about 129.1 miles (207.7 km) and usually takes 02h 14m 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?

Seneca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.5 miles from Lacon and 60.6 miles from Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 107.6 miles (173.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.5 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 2:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.16 one way or $34.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Seneca

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

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

RAIL

Dwight station

29 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Plano

39 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Pontiac station

48 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

50 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lacon and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 107.58 mi (173.13 km).

Lacon

#1 Lacon

City in Marshall County, Illinois, United States

Population1,713
Coordinates41.0247600, -89.4112000
Altitude145
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: Ferry Street (-89.411191, 41.024805)
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 208 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.55 gal
17.24 L · about $17.16
Round trip
$34.32
9.1 gal · 34.48 L
Estimated CO2
40.4 kg one way
Round trip: 80.9 kg / 178 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.16 $34.32
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.35 $38.70
Premium $4.65 $21.18 $42.35
Diesel $5.30 $24.13 $48.27

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 Lacon and Chicago. The current time is 04:11:38.

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.