How far is North Chicago, IL from Decatur, IL?
The driving distance from North Chicago, IL to Decatur, IL is about 210.4 miles (338.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.3 miles (291.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 12m 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 36m.
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 Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Chicago and Decatur.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Chicago and Decatur.
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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
3 mi · 5 min · Buckley Road
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 94 Toll East: Chicago
1998 ft · 52 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis
1 km · 1 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
2295 ft · 56 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119.4 mi · 2 hr 13 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 74 East, US 51 South, US 55 Business North: Indianapolis, Decatur
2.1 mi · 2 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 51 South, US 51 Business North: Decatur, Bloomington
1616 ft · 40 sec
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16
Continue on North 1450 East Road
14.7 mi · 18 min · North 1450 East Road
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17
Continue on North Walnut Street
23.2 mi · 30 min · North Walnut Street
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18
Turn straight
4.7 mi · 8 min
-
19
Turn left onto East Wood Street
91 m · 8 sec · East Wood Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Wood Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Chicago and Decatur.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
119 mi · 02h 13m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving North Chicago and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Decatur.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Chicago to Decatur?
The road trip is about 210.4 miles (338.6 km) and usually takes 03h 36m 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?
Dwight is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.1 miles from North Chicago and 105.3 miles from Decatur.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.3 miles (291.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.1 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 9:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.98 one way or $55.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North Chicago and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Decatur.
Stop Ideas Near Dwight
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 Dwight.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Kankakee
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Chicago and Decatur. Straight-line distance: 181.24 mi (291.68 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 Decatur
The most populous city in Macon County, Illinois.
| Population | 70,007 |
| Coordinates | 39.8403100, -88.9548000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Wood Street (-88.954801, 39.840341)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 339 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.98 | $55.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.56 | $63.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.53 | $69.07 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.36 | $78.71 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.