How far is Madison, WI from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Madison, WI to Chicago, IL is about 149.4 miles (240.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.9 miles (197.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 00m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Winnebago County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Madison and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison and Chicago.
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1
Start on University Avenue
97 m · 18 sec · University Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North Brooks Street
132 m · 26 sec · North Brooks Street
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3
Turn left onto West Johnson Street
131 m · 20 sec · West Johnson Street
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4
Turn right onto North Park Street
1617 ft · 55 sec · North Park Street
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5
Turn left onto Regent Street
1587 ft · 43 sec · Regent Street
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6
Continue on Proudfit Street
1721 ft · 51 sec · Proudfit Street
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7
Continue on North Shore Drive
1500 ft · 43 sec · North Shore Drive
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8
Turn right onto John Nolen Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · John Nolen Drive
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9
Keep slight left to continue on US 12 East, US 18 East
2050 ft · 50 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto West Beltline Highway
4 mi · 6 min · West Beltline Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 South, I 90 East: Janesville, Chicago
1.4 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto I 39:I 90: Chicago
62.2 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
20.3 mi · 22 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
40.6 mi · 44 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
1772 ft · 22 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
526 ft · 30 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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17
Merge slight right onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
123 m · 5 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward IL 171 South: Cumberland Avenue South
1 mi · 2 min · Cumberland flyover
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19
Keep slight left to continue on IL 171 South: Cumberland Avenue
75 m · 8 sec
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20
Turn right onto North Cumberland Avenue
874 ft · 28 sec · North Cumberland Avenue
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21
Continue on North Cumberland Avenue
2310 ft · 1 min · North Cumberland Avenue
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22
Turn right onto West Higgins Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Higgins Road
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23
Turn right onto North Oriole Avenue
99 m · 14 sec · North Oriole Avenue
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24
Turn left onto West Higgins Avenue
2.7 mi · 6 min · West Higgins Avenue
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25
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
929 ft · 26 sec · North Central Avenue
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26
Turn left onto West Lawrence Avenue
1858 ft · 43 sec · West Lawrence Avenue
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27
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue
3138 ft · 1 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
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28
Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue
2904 ft · 1 min · West Montrose Avenue
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29
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East
1721 ft · 42 sec
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30
Merge slight left onto Kennedy Expressway
7.9 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
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31
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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32
Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street
1398 ft · 34 sec
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33
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
963 ft · 30 sec · South Union Avenue
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34
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
154 m · 13 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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35
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
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36
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
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37
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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38
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Madison and Chicago.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 39
Merge slight left onto I 39:I 90: Chicago
62.2 mi · 01h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny leaving Madison and Cloudy near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Madison to Chicago?
The road trip is about 149.4 miles (240.4 km) and usually takes 03h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cherry Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.6 miles from Madison and 74.8 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.9 miles (197.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.87 one way or $39.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Madison and Cloudy near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Cherry Valley
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 Cherry Valley.
Rockford, Illinois
South Beloit, Illinois
Janesville, Wisconsin
Plano
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Madison and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 122.91 mi (197.8 km).
#1 Madison
City in and county seat of Dane County, Wisconsin, United States, and the capital city of Wisconsin
| Population | 6,667 |
| Coordinates | 43.0730500, -89.4012300 |
| Altitude | 267 |
| 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: Chicago (-87.650052, 41.850033)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 240 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.87 | $39.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.41 | $44.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.53 | $49.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.95 | $55.90 |
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 Wisconsin · Jul 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.