How far is Palatine, IL from South Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Palatine, IL to South Chicago, IL is about 42.6 miles (68.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 35.5 miles (57.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 11m 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
42.64 mi
01h 05m
Flight
35.55 mi
57.22 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Palatine.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
35.55 mi
Kilometers
57.22 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
42.64 mi
Kilometers
68.62 km
Drive Time
01h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Chicago
Sun, Apr 19, 10:41 AM CDT
Return by in Palatine
Sun, Apr 19, 11:46 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Palatine
2026-04-19T09:35
Arrive South Chicago
Sun, Apr 19, 10:41 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:06 AM to 11:06 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Palatine
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Lincolnwood
IL

Village in United States of America

From Palatine
21.3 mi
00h 32m
To South Chicago
21.3 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph WNW
Destination
52°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Palatine and South Chicago.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palatine and South Chicago.

  1. 1

    Start on East Palatine Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · East Palatine Road

  2. 2

    Continue on Palatine Road

    5.2 mi · 8 min · Palatine Road

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward US 45, IL 21: Milwaukee Avenue

    104 m · 9 sec

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto East Palatine Road

    3061 ft · 1 min · East Palatine Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Milwaukee Avenue

    4.4 mi · 7 min · Milwaukee Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on North Milwaukee Avenue

    3.7 mi · 6 min · North Milwaukee Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto West Touhy Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · West Touhy Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn right onto North Caldwell Avenue

    2.4 mi · 4 min · North Caldwell Avenue

  9. 9

    Take the ramp straight toward I 94 East

    1370 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Edens Expressway

    2.1 mi · 2 min · Edens Expressway

  11. 11

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  12. 12

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    3.8 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East

    2183 ft · 53 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight right onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)

    2612 ft · 50 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on Chicago Skyway

    4.5 mi · 7 min · Chicago Skyway

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto Chicago Skyway

    591 ft · 14 sec · Chicago Skyway

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Chicago Skyway

    1651 ft · 40 sec · Chicago Skyway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Anthony Avenue, 92nd Street

    1381 ft · 34 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South Anthony Avenue

    110 m · 10 sec · South Anthony Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto East 92nd Street

    1409 ft · 50 sec · East 92nd Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto South Commercial Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Commercial Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto East 86th Street

    829 ft · 39 sec · East 86th Street

  24. 24

    Turn right

    66 m · 16 sec

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Palatine and South Chicago.

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
25 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
58.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Kennedy Expressway
8.12 mi · 19%
Palatine Road
5.21 mi · 12%
Chicago Skyway
4.97 mi · 12%
Milwaukee Avenue
4.37 mi · 10%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
3.81 mi · 9%
North Milwaukee Avenue
3.7 mi · 9%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 05m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.1 mi
35.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lincolnwood
00h 32m from Palatine
Leave By
4:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Palatine and Mostly Sunny near South Chicago.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Palatine to South Chicago?

The road trip is about 42.6 miles (68.6 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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?

Lincolnwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.3 miles from Palatine and 21.3 miles from South Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 35.5 miles (57.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.1 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 4:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.69 one way or $11.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Palatine and Mostly Sunny near South Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Lincolnwood

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lincolnwood, 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 Lincolnwood.

RAIL

Glenview station

10 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

16 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

24 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

25 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Palatine and South Chicago. Straight-line distance: 35.55 mi (57.22 km).

Palatine

#1 Palatine

Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Population66,830
Coordinates42.1103000, -88.0342400
Altitude226
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 South Chicago

Former township in Cook County, Illinois

Population28,095
Coordinates41.7397700, -87.5542500
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Start: Palatine (-88.03424, 42.1103)
End: South Chicago (-87.55425, 41.73977)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 69 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.51 gal
5.7 L · about $5.69
Round trip
$11.39
3.02 gal · 11.4 L
Estimated CO2
13.4 kg one way
Round trip: 26.8 kg / 59 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.69 $11.39
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.42 $12.84
Premium $4.65 $7.03 $14.06
Diesel $5.30 $8.01 $16.02

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

There is no time difference between Palatine and South Chicago. The current time is 09:35:23.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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