How far is North Chicago, IL from Plainfield, IL?

The driving distance from North Chicago, IL to Plainfield, IL is about 65.1 miles (104.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.8 miles (83.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
65.06 mi
01h 16m
Flight
51.74 mi
83.27 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Chicago.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.74 mi
Kilometers
83.27 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
65.06 mi
Kilometers
104.7 km
Drive Time
01h 16m

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 01h 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Plainfield
Fri, Oct 16, 12:41 PM CDT
Return by in North Chicago
Fri, Oct 16, 1:58 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Chicago
2026-10-16T11:25
Arrive Plainfield
Fri, Oct 16, 12:41 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:56 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Chicago
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Northlake
IL

City in Cook County, Illinois, United States

From North Chicago
32.4 mi
00h 38m
To Plainfield
32.6 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Friday

Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Fri, Oct 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph NW
Destination
52°F
Friday

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Oct 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North Chicago and Plainfield.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Chicago and Plainfield.

  1. 1

    Start on Fellows Place

    667 ft · 32 sec · Fellows Place

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 18th Street

    47 m · 10 sec · 18th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Sheridan Road

    2930 ft · 40 sec · Sheridan Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Bobby E. Thompson Expressway

    1.4 km · 1 min · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Buckley Road

    3 mi · 5 min · Buckley Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 94 Toll East: Chicago

    1998 ft · 52 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    11 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    22.7 mi · 29 min · Tri-State Tollway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55: Chicago, St. Louis

    1 km · 1 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    2295 ft · 56 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    15.4 mi · 20 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 126 West: Plainfield

    2328 ft · 43 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on East Main Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · East Main Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Michigan Street

    134 m · 23 sec · Michigan Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto South Naperville Road

    28 m · 8 sec · South Naperville Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto North Division Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Division Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto West Hazelcrest Drive

    107 m · 15 sec · West Hazelcrest Drive

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Hazelcrest Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North Chicago and Plainfield.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Tri-State Tollway
39.7 mi · 61%
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
15.4 mi · 24%
Buckley Road
3.03 mi · 5%
East Main Street
2.29 mi · 4%
North Division Street
0.89 mi · 1%
Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
0.84 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

22.7 mi · 00h 29m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.3 mi
51.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Northlake
00h 38m from North Chicago
Leave By
3:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely leaving North Chicago and Scattered Rain Showers near Plainfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from North Chicago to Plainfield?

The road trip is about 65.1 miles (104.7 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?

Northlake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.4 miles from North Chicago and 32.6 miles from Plainfield.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 51.8 miles (83.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 3:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.80 one way or $21.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely around North Chicago and Scattered Rain Showers near Plainfield.

Stop Ideas Near Northlake

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Northlake, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Northlake.

RAIL

La Grange Road

11 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

15 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.
RAIL

Glenview station

19 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

22 mi away
225 South Canal Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Chicago and Plainfield. Straight-line distance: 51.74 mi (83.27 km).

North Chicago

#1 North Chicago

City and suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA

Population29,639
Coordinates42.3255800, -87.8411800
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Plainfield

Plainfield is a place in Illinois, United States.

Population0
Coordinates41.6269700, -88.2039500
Altitude188
CountryUnited States
Start: Fellows Place (-87.841197, 42.325603)
End: West Hazelcrest Drive (-88.203953, 41.627049)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 105 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.3 gal
8.69 L · about $10.80
Round trip
$21.59
4.6 gal · 17.38 L
Estimated CO2
20.4 kg one way
Round trip: 40.9 kg / 90 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.69 $10.80 $21.59
Mid-grade $5.33 $12.26 $24.52
Premium $5.88 $13.51 $27.03
Diesel $6.58 $15.13 $30.26

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between North Chicago and Plainfield. The current time is 11:25:03.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.