How far is Lake of the Woods, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Lake of the Woods, IL to Chicago, IL is about 139.7 miles (224.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 119.6 miles (192.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 39m 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 02h 19m.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake of the Woods and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake of the Woods and Chicago.
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1
Start on the route
42 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn right
92 m · 24 sec
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3
Turn right onto North Lake of the Woods Road
138 m · 12 sec · North Lake of the Woods Road
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4
Turn right onto County Road 50
1318 ft · 1 min · County Road 50
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Prairieview Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Prairieview Road
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 74 East: Champaign
1566 ft · 39 sec
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7
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 5 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 57: Chicago, Memphis
1869 ft · 35 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
1.1 km · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left
120.8 mi · 2 hr 15 min
-
11
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.2 mi · 9 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
1620 ft · 40 sec
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14
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
74 m · 7 sec · South Ruble Street
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15
Turn slight left
23 m · 5 sec
-
16
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
887 ft · 26 sec · South Canalport Avenue
-
17
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
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18
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
-
19
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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20
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake of the Woods and Chicago.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 57 North
Merge slight left
121 mi · 02h 15m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake of the Woods and Partly Sunny near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake of the Woods to Chicago?
The road trip is about 139.7 miles (224.8 km) and usually takes 02h 19m 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?
Chebanse is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.5 miles from Lake of the Woods and 70.2 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 119.6 miles (192.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.1 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 1:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.59 one way or $37.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake of the Woods and Partly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Chebanse
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 Chebanse.
Kankakee
Gilman
Dwight station
Joliet Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake of the Woods and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 119.58 mi (192.44 km).
#1 Lake of the Woods
Census designated place in Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,912 |
| Coordinates | 40.2064200, -88.3686700 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| 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: 225 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.59 | $37.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.97 | $41.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.94 | $45.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.15 | $52.30 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.