How far is North Chicago, IL from Palatine, IL?
The driving distance from North Chicago, IL to Palatine, IL is about 28.5 miles (45.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.8 miles (28.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 38m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 West Deerfield and Vernon townships of Lake County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Chicago and Palatine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Chicago and Palatine.
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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
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Willow Road
1072 ft · 26 sec
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10
Keep slight right
1015 ft · 25 sec
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11
Turn right onto Willow Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Willow Road
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12
Continue on Palatine Road
7.8 mi · 12 min · Palatine Road
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Palatine Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Chicago and Palatine.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11 mi · 00h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving North Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Palatine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Chicago to Palatine?
The road trip is about 28.5 miles (45.8 km) and usually takes 00h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bannockburn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.2 miles from North Chicago and 14.2 miles from Palatine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.8 miles (28.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.77 one way or $7.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Palatine.
Stop Ideas Near Bannockburn
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 Bannockburn.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Chicago and Palatine. Straight-line distance: 17.86 mi (28.74 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 Palatine
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 66,830 |
| Coordinates | 42.1103000, -88.0342400 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palatine (-88.03424, 42.1103)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 46 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.77 | $7.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.25 | $8.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.65 | $9.31 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.30 | $10.61 |
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.