How far is Lake Forest, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Lake Forest, IL to Chicago, IL is about 33.9 miles (54.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 29.9 miles (48.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 00h 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Forest and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Forest and Chicago.
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1
Start on Griffith Road
22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road
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2
Turn straight onto East Woodland Road
62 m · 9 sec · East Woodland Road
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3
Turn slight left onto North McKinley Road
2911 ft · 1 min · North McKinley Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Illinois Road
73 m · 12 sec · Illinois Road
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5
Turn left onto North Western Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Western Avenue
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6
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Westleigh Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Westleigh Road
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7
Turn left onto Skokie Valley Road
3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road
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8
Continue on Skokie Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway
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9
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway
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10
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street
1398 ft · 34 sec
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13
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
963 ft · 30 sec · South Union Avenue
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14
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
154 m · 13 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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15
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
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16
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
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17
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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18
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Forest and Chicago.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Edens Expressway
Continue on Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest to Chicago?
The road trip is about 33.9 miles (54.6 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?
Morton Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17 miles from Lake Forest and 17 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 29.9 miles (48.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 4 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 4:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.53 one way or $9.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Lake Forest and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Morton Grove
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 Morton Grove.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Forest and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 29.88 mi (48.08 km).
#1 Lake Forest
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 19,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.2586300, -87.8406300 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| 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: 55 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.53 | $9.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.10 | $10.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.58 | $11.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.36 | $12.73 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.