How far is Mount Zion, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Mount Zion, IL to Chicago, IL is about 184.2 miles (296.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.2 miles (253 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 02m 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 01m.
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.
Village in Iroquois County, Illinois, United States of America
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 Zion and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Zion and Chicago.
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1
Start on North Henderson Street
20 m · 5 sec · North Henderson Street
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2
Turn right onto West Main Street
1628 ft · 33 sec · West Main Street
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3
Turn slight left onto South State Route 121
1.6 mi · 2 min · South State Route 121
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4
Continue on South Mount Zion Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · South Mount Zion Road
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5
Turn left
3.1 mi · 5 min
-
6
Turn right onto North 22nd Street
3.9 mi · 6 min · North 22nd Street
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7
Continue straight
1.6 km · 1 min
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8
Take the ramp right toward I-72 East: Champaign
1 km · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
36.9 mi · 40 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 57 North: Chicago
1520 ft · 43 sec
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11
Merge slight left
123.5 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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12
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.2 mi · 9 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
1620 ft · 40 sec
-
15
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
74 m · 7 sec · South Ruble Street
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16
Turn slight left
23 m · 5 sec
-
17
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
887 ft · 26 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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18
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
-
19
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
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20
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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21
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mount Zion 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
124 mi · 02h 17m
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 Zion 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 Zion to Chicago?
The road trip is about 184.2 miles (296.4 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?
Onarga is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92 miles from Mount Zion and 92.2 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.2 miles (253 km), while the road route adds roughly 27 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 $24.51 one way or $49.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Mount Zion and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Onarga
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 Onarga.
Gilman
Kankakee
Rantoul
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mount Zion and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 157.24 mi (253.05 km).
#1 Mount Zion
Human settlement in United States of America
| Population | 5,762 |
| Coordinates | 39.7714300, -88.8742400 |
| Altitude | 211 |
| 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: 296 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.51 | $49.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.64 | $55.29 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.25 | $60.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.48 | $68.95 |
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.