How far is Palatine, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Palatine, IL to Chicago, IL is about 31.1 miles (50 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.7 miles (43 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m 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 42m.
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.
City in Trumbull County, Ohio
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 Palatine and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palatine and Chicago.
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1
Start on East Palatine Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · East Palatine Road
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2
Continue on Palatine Road
5.2 mi · 8 min · Palatine Road
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3
Take the exit slight right toward US 45, IL 21: Milwaukee Avenue
104 m · 9 sec
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4
Turn straight onto East Palatine Road
3061 ft · 1 min · East Palatine Road
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5
Turn right onto Milwaukee Avenue
4.4 mi · 7 min · Milwaukee Avenue
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6
Continue on North Milwaukee Avenue
3.7 mi · 6 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
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7
Turn left onto West Touhy Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · West Touhy Avenue
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8
Turn right onto North Caldwell Avenue
2.4 mi · 4 min · North Caldwell Avenue
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9
Take the ramp straight toward I 94 East
1370 ft · 35 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Edens Expressway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Edens Expressway
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11
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway
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12
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street
1398 ft · 34 sec
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14
Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue
963 ft · 30 sec · South Union Avenue
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15
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
154 m · 13 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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16
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
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17
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
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18
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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19
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palatine and Chicago.
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.
Kennedy Expressway
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
8.12 mi · 00h 12m
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 Palatine and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palatine to Chicago?
The road trip is about 31.1 miles (50 km) and usually takes 00h 42m 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?
Niles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.5 miles from Palatine and 15.6 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.7 miles (43 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.4 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 7:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.15 one way or $8.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Palatine and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Niles
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 Niles.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palatine and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 26.7 mi (42.97 km).
#1 Palatine
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 66,830 |
| Coordinates | 42.1103000, -88.0342400 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chicago
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,677,643 |
| Coordinates | 41.850033, -87.6500523 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)
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 | $3.77 | $4.15 | $8.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.68 | $9.36 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.12 | $10.24 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.83 | $11.67 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.