How far is Lake Forest, IL from Schaumburg, IL?

The driving distance from Lake Forest, IL to Schaumburg, IL is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 19.9 miles (32.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m 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
30.79 mi
00h 47m
Flight
19.92 mi
32.06 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake Forest.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
19.92 mi
Kilometers
32.06 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
30.79 mi
Kilometers
49.55 km
Drive Time
00h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Schaumburg
Tue, Apr 14, 2:41 PM CDT
Return by in Lake Forest
Tue, Apr 14, 3:29 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Forest
2026-04-14T13:53
Arrive Schaumburg
Tue, Apr 14, 2:41 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:48 AM to 10:48 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:54 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake Forest
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
Ridgeland
IL

Township in Iroquois County, Illinois

From Lake Forest
15.4 mi
00h 23m
To Schaumburg
15.4 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph SSW
Destination
76°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Forest and Schaumburg.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Forest and Schaumburg.

  1. 1

    Start on Griffith Road

    22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road

  2. 2

    Turn straight onto East Woodland Road

    1960 ft · 1 min · East Woodland Road

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Green Bay Road

    2060 ft · 1 min · North Green Bay Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto East Deerpath

    1.6 km · 3 min · East Deerpath

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left toward Deerpath Road

    1302 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto South Skokie Highway

    926 ft · 12 sec · South Skokie Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 60

    534 ft · 14 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on W Kennedy Road

    2279 ft · 45 sec · W Kennedy Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Townline Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Townline Road

  10. 10

    Continue on East Townline Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · East Townline Road

  11. 11

    Take the ramp left toward I 94 Toll East: Indiana

    1872 ft · 49 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    5.8 mi · 7 min · Tri-State Tollway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Willow Road

    1072 ft · 26 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right

    1015 ft · 25 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Willow Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Willow Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Palatine Road

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 53 South

    1330 ft · 33 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    3.2 mi · 4 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road

    2.2 mi · 3 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 72: Higgins Road

    1202 ft · 29 sec

  22. 22

    Turn straight onto West Frontage Road

    125 m · 11 sec · West Frontage Road

  23. 23

    Turn right onto East Higgins Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · East Higgins Road

  24. 24

    Continue on West Higgins Road

    1 mi · 2 min · West Higgins Road

  25. 25

    Turn left onto North Roselle Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · North Roselle Road

  26. 26

    Turn right onto West Thacker Street

    723 ft · 37 sec · West Thacker Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto North Pleasant Drive

    130 m · 19 sec · North Pleasant Drive

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Pleasant Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Forest and Schaumburg.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
28 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
90.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Tri-State Tollway
9.34 mi · 30%
Palatine Road
6.23 mi · 20%
IL 53 South
3.49 mi · 11%
I 290 East
2.16 mi · 7%
East Higgins Road
1.45 mi · 5%
Willow Road
1.15 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Palatine Road

Continue on Palatine Road

6.23 mi · 00h 09m

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
00h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.9 mi
19.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ridgeland
00h 23m from Lake Forest
Leave By
4:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake Forest and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Schaumburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lake Forest to Schaumburg?

The road trip is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?

Ridgeland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.4 miles from Lake Forest and 15.4 miles from Schaumburg.

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

The direct path is about 19.9 miles (32.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.11 one way or $8.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake Forest and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Schaumburg.

Stop Ideas Near Ridgeland

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

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

RAIL

Glenview station

8 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

La Grange Road

34 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

34 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

Summit

37 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake Forest and Schaumburg. Straight-line distance: 19.92 mi (32.06 km).

Lake Forest

#1 Lake Forest

City in Lake County, Illinois, United States

Population19,379
Coordinates42.2586300, -87.8406300
Altitude210
CountryUnited States
Schaumburg

#2 Schaumburg

Large village located in Cook County in Illinois, USA

Population72,049
Coordinates42.0333600, -88.0834100
Altitude242
CountryUnited States
Start: Lake Forest (-87.84063, 42.25863)
End: Schaumburg (-88.08341, 42.03336)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 50 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.09 gal
4.11 L · about $4.11
Round trip
$8.22
2.18 gal · 8.22 L
Estimated CO2
9.7 kg one way
Round trip: 19.4 kg / 43 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $4.11 $8.22
Mid-grade $4.25 $4.64 $9.27
Premium $4.65 $5.07 $10.15
Diesel $5.30 $5.78 $11.56

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Lake Forest and Schaumburg. The current time is 13:53:52.

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.