How far is Northbrook, IL from Crystal Lake, IL?
The driving distance from Northbrook, IL to Crystal Lake, IL is about 33.4 miles (53.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.2 miles (42.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 52m 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 56m.
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.
City in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Northbrook and Crystal Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northbrook and Crystal Lake.
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1
Start on the route
91 m · 27 sec
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2
Turn left onto 1st Street
90 m · 15 sec · 1st Street
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3
Turn left onto Walters Avenue
37 m · 9 sec · Walters Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Shermer Road
2089 ft · 46 sec · Shermer Road
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Shermer Road
905 ft · 25 sec · Shermer Road
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6
Turn left onto Waukegan Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Waukegan Road
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7
Turn left onto Lake Cook Road
9.4 mi · 16 min · Lake Cook Road
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Lake Cook Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Lake Cook Road
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9
Continue on North Rand Road
4.4 mi · 5 min · North Rand Road
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10
Turn left onto West Main Street
2018 ft · 53 sec · West Main Street
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11
Continue on State Route 22
4.9 mi · 8 min · State Route 22
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Northwest Highway
6.2 mi · 10 min · South Northwest Highway
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13
Turn right onto South Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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14
Turn left onto East Crystal Lake Avenue
8 m · 1 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Northbrook 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.
Lake Cook Road
Turn left onto Lake Cook Road
9.44 mi · 00h 16m
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 Northbrook 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 Northbrook to Crystal Lake?
The road trip is about 33.4 miles (53.8 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?
Kildeer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.9 miles from Northbrook and 18.6 miles from Crystal Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.2 miles (42.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.2 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 4:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.50 one way or $11.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Northbrook and Rain Showers near Crystal Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Kildeer
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 Kildeer.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Northbrook and Crystal Lake. Straight-line distance: 26.15 mi (42.09 km).
#1 Northbrook
Village in Illinois
| Population | 32,657 |
| Coordinates | 42.1275300, -87.8289500 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| 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: 54 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $5.50 | $11.01 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $6.24 | $12.49 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $6.89 | $13.78 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $7.75 | $15.51 |
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