How far is Palatine, IL from Zion, IL?
The driving distance from Palatine, IL to Zion, IL is about 37.5 miles (60.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.4 miles (40.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m 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 54m.
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.
Human settlement in Illinois, United States of America
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 Zion.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palatine and Zion.
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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
6.2 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road
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3
Continue on Willow Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Willow Road
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4
Turn sharp left onto I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
117 m · 11 sec
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5
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
2066 ft · 50 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
14.7 mi · 17 min · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 137: Buckley Road
1522 ft · 39 sec
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8
Turn straight onto Buckley Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · Buckley Road
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9
Turn left onto Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
1.4 km · 60 sec · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
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10
Continue on Sheridan Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · Sheridan Road
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11
Continue on Melvin Amstutz Highway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Melvin Amstutz Highway
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12
Turn left onto West Greenwood Avenue
1713 ft · 32 sec · West Greenwood Avenue
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13
Turn right onto North Sheridan Road
4.3 mi · 9 min · North Sheridan Road
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14
Turn left onto 27th Street
1975 ft · 54 sec · 27th Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 27th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palatine and Zion.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
14.7 mi · 00h 17m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Palatine and Mostly Sunny near Zion.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palatine to Zion?
The road trip is about 37.5 miles (60.4 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?
Mettawa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.8 miles from Palatine and 18.8 miles from Zion.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.4 miles (40.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.1 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 4:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.98 one way or $9.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Palatine and Mostly Sunny near Zion.
Stop Ideas Near Mettawa
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 Mettawa.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palatine and Zion. Straight-line distance: 25.38 mi (40.85 km).
#1 Palatine
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 66,830 |
| Coordinates | 42.1103000, -88.0342400 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Zion
City in Lake County, Illinois, US
| Population | 23,321 |
| Coordinates | 42.4461300, -87.8328500 |
| Altitude | 198 |
| Country | United States |
End: Zion (-87.83285, 42.44613)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 60 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.98 | $9.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.61 | $11.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.14 | $12.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.00 | $14.00 |
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.