How far is Palatine, IL from River Forest, IL?
The driving distance from Palatine, IL to River Forest, IL is about 23.4 miles (37.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 14m 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 37m.
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 Illinois, U.
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 River Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palatine and River Forest.
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1
Start on East Palatine Road
22 m · 5 sec · East Palatine Road
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2
Turn right onto East Northwest Highway
1662 ft · 51 sec · East Northwest Highway
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3
Turn right onto Hicks Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Hicks Road
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4
Turn left onto Euclid Avenue
20 m · 1 sec · Euclid Avenue
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward IL 53 South
1523 ft · 37 sec
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6
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 290 East: Chicago, Biesterfield Road
7 mi · 9 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East: Chicago
7.2 mi · 9 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East, IL 64 East, I 294 North: Milwaukee, Truck Route
2357 ft · 54 sec
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10
Turn slight right
958 ft · 35 sec
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11
Keep slight left
3.5 mi · 6 min
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12
Turn left onto North 17th Avenue
43 m · 5 sec · North 17th Avenue
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13
Turn right onto Chicago Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Chicago Avenue
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14
Turn left onto Thatcher Avenue
1328 ft · 39 sec · Thatcher Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Augusta Street
3240 ft · 2 min · Augusta Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Augusta Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palatine and River Forest.
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.
I 290 East
Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East: Chicago
7.17 mi · 00h 09m
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 River Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palatine to River Forest?
The road trip is about 23.4 miles (37.7 km) and usually takes 00h 37m 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?
Itasca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.7 miles from Palatine and 11.7 miles from River Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 7:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.13 one way or $6.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Palatine and Mostly Sunny near River Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Itasca
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 Itasca.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palatine and River Forest. Straight-line distance: 18.54 mi (29.83 km).
#1 Palatine
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 66,830 |
| Coordinates | 42.1103000, -88.0342400 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| Country | United States |
#2 River Forest
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 10,694 |
| Coordinates | 41.8978100, -87.8139500 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: River Forest (-87.81395, 41.89781)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.13 | $6.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.53 | $7.06 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.86 | $7.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.40 | $8.80 |
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.