How far is North Chicago, IL from Crystal Lake, IL?
The driving distance from North Chicago, IL to Crystal Lake, IL is about 31 miles (49.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25 miles (40.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 46m 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 00h 53m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Chicago and Crystal Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Chicago and Crystal Lake.
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1
Start on Fellows Place
667 ft · 32 sec · Fellows Place
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2
Turn right onto 18th Street
47 m · 10 sec · 18th Street
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3
Turn right onto Sheridan Road
2930 ft · 40 sec · Sheridan Road
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4
Continue on Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
1.4 km · 1 min · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
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5
Turn right onto Buckley Road
5.9 mi · 9 min · Buckley Road
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6
Continue on Peterson Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Peterson Road
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7
Continue on Peterson Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Peterson Road
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8
Turn left onto Ivanhoe Road
2 mi · 4 min · Ivanhoe Road
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9
Continue on Schank Avenue
797 ft · 24 sec · Schank Avenue
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10
Turn right
15.9 mi · 29 min
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11
Turn left onto North Main Street
2641 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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12
Turn right onto East Crystal Lake Avenue
8 m · 1 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Chicago and Crystal Lake.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Longest stretch
Turn right
15.9 mi · 00h 29m
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.
Rain Showers leaving North Chicago and Rain Showers near Crystal Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Chicago to Crystal Lake?
The road trip is about 31 miles (49.9 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?
Gilmer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.8 miles from North Chicago and 16.2 miles from Crystal Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25 miles (40.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 6 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 4:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.08 one way or $10.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around North Chicago and Rain Showers near Crystal Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Gilmer
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 Gilmer.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Naperville
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Chicago and Crystal Lake. Straight-line distance: 24.97 mi (40.19 km).
#1 North Chicago
City and suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA
| Population | 29,639 |
| Coordinates | 42.3255800, -87.8411800 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Crystal Lake
City located in McHenry County, Illinois, USA
| Population | 39,642 |
| Coordinates | 42.2411300, -88.3162000 |
| Altitude | 279 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Crystal Lake Avenue (-88.316198, 42.241185)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 50 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $5.08 | $10.17 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $5.77 | $11.54 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $6.36 | $12.72 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $7.16 | $14.32 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026