How far is Mount Sterling, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Mount Sterling, IL to Chicago, IL is about 246.7 miles (397.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 207.3 miles (333.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 31m 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 04h 15m.
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.
Town in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mount Sterling and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Sterling and Chicago.
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1
Start on East Washington Street
2 m · 6 sec · East Washington Street
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2
Turn left onto East Court Street
104 m · 20 sec · East Court Street
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3
Turn left onto East North Street
15 m · 4 sec · East North Street
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4
Turn right
107 m · 21 sec
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5
Turn left onto East Main Street
16.2 mi · 24 min · East Main Street
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6
Turn left onto South Congress Street
15.9 mi · 24 min · South Congress Street
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7
Continue on Broadway Street
17.1 mi · 25 min · Broadway Street
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8
Turn right onto East Avenue E
3.6 mi · 5 min · East Avenue E
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9
Continue straight
13.5 mi · 20 min
-
10
Continue on West Valley View Drive
57 m · 7 sec · West Valley View Drive
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11
Turn right onto West Valleyview Drive
729 ft · 14 sec · West Valleyview Drive
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12
Continue on East Valley View Drive
17.7 mi · 22 min · East Valley View Drive
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13
Continue on McKinley Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · McKinley Avenue
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14
Take the exit slight right
2209 ft · 54 sec
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15
Merge slight left
7.5 mi · 8 min
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16
Merge slight left
27 mi · 29 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, US 51 North: Chicago
1.4 mi · 3 min
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18
Merge slight left
123.2 mi · 2 hr 20 min
-
19
Continue on Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Stevenson Expressway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
912 ft · 24 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Damen Avenue
1372 ft · 34 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
134 m · 13 sec
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23
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South Damen Avenue
-
24
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
2973 ft · 2 min · South Blue Island Avenue
-
25
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Cermak Road
-
26
Turn right
46 m · 11 sec
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27
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mount Sterling 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 55 North
Merge slight left
123 mi · 02h 20m
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.
Sunny leaving Mount Sterling 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 Mount Sterling to Chicago?
The road trip is about 246.7 miles (397.1 km) and usually takes 04h 15m 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?
Normal is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.5 miles from Mount Sterling and 121.2 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 207.3 miles (333.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.85 one way or $65.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mount Sterling and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Normal
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Normal.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mount Sterling and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 207.31 mi (333.63 km).
#1 Mount Sterling
Township in Brown County, Illinois
| Population | 2,495 |
| Coordinates | 39.9872700, -90.7634600 |
| Altitude | 221 |
| 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: 397 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.85 | $65.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.04 | $74.09 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.54 | $81.07 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.20 | $92.40 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.