How far is Metropolis, IL from Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Metropolis, IL to Chicago, IL is about 366 miles (589.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 329.8 miles (530.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
366.06 mi
05h 44m
Flight
329.74 mi
530.66 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Metropolis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
329.74 mi
Kilometers
530.66 km
Flight Time
00h 39m

Driving Distance

Road route
366.06 mi
Kilometers
589.12 km
Drive Time
05h 44m

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 05h 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chicago
Thu, Apr 30, 3:31 PM CDT
Return by in Metropolis
Thu, Apr 30, 9:16 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Metropolis
2026-04-30T09:47
Arrive Chicago
Thu, Apr 30, 3:31 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:44 AM to 1:44 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:32 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Metropolis
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Mattoon
IL

City in Illinois

From Metropolis
181.4 mi
02h 52m
To Chicago
184.6 mi
02h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
45°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 mph N
Destination
52°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Metropolis and Chicago.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West 5th Street

    14 m · 9 sec · West 5th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Ferry Street

    1985 ft · 1 min · Ferry Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West 10th Street

    876 ft · 29 sec · West 10th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Pearl Street

    594 ft · 17 sec · Pearl Street

  5. 5

    Turn slight left onto North Avenue

    6.3 mi · 10 min · North Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on New Columbia Road

    4.3 mi · 6 min · New Columbia Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Big Bay Road

    2365 ft · 41 sec · Big Bay Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp left toward New Columbia, Big Bay

    1470 ft · 27 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    25.4 mi · 27 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago

    1935 ft · 47 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway

    51.7 mi · 56 min · Ken Gray Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway

    67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago

    195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 min

  14. 14

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road

    1620 ft · 40 sec

  17. 17

    Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street

    74 m · 7 sec · South Ruble Street

  18. 18

    Turn slight left

    23 m · 5 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue

    887 ft · 26 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South Halsted Street

    737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto West Cermak Road

    976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road

  22. 22

    Turn left

    46 m · 11 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right

    794 ft · 58 sec

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Metropolis and Chicago.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
24 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 North
196 mi · 53%
Ken Gray Expressway
119 mi · 33%
New Columbia
25.7 mi · 7%
North Avenue
6.26 mi · 2%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.18 mi · 2%
New Columbia Road
4.28 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 57 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago

195 mi · 03h 34m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 44m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.2 mi
329.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mattoon
02h 52m from Metropolis
Leave By
5:32 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Metropolis and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers near Chicago.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Metropolis to Chicago?

The road trip is about 366 miles (589.1 km) and usually takes 05h 44m 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?

Mattoon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 181.4 miles from Metropolis and 184.6 miles from Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 329.8 miles (530.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.2 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 5:32 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.72 one way or $97.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 114.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Metropolis and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers near Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Mattoon

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

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

RAIL

Mattoon station

1718 Broadway Ave.
RAIL

Effingham

43 mi away
401 West National Ave.
RAIL

Illinois Terminal

71 mi away
45 East University Ave.
RAIL

Rantoul

94 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Metropolis and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 329.74 mi (530.66 km).

Metropolis

#1 Metropolis

Very large and significant city or urban area usually with millions of inhabitants

Population5,885
Coordinates37.1511700, -88.7320000
Altitude110
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: West 5th Street (-88.731992, 37.151138)
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 589 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)12h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)09h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)07h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)06h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.92 gal
48.9 L · about $48.72
Round trip
$97.44
25.84 gal · 97.8 L
Estimated CO2
114.8 kg one way
Round trip: 229.6 kg / 506 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $48.72 $97.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $54.95 $109.90
Premium $4.65 $60.13 $120.26
Diesel $5.30 $68.53 $137.06

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Metropolis and Chicago. The current time is 09:47:37.

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.