How far is Park Ridge, IL from Lake Forest, IL?
The driving distance from Park Ridge, IL to Lake Forest, IL is about 22.4 miles (36.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.1 miles (27.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 09m 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 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Iroquois County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Park Ridge and Lake Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Park Ridge and Lake Forest.
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1
Start on the route
7 m · 4 sec
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2
Turn right onto North Greenwood Avenue
3 mi · 6 min · North Greenwood Avenue
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3
Turn left onto West Golf Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Golf Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
2307 ft · 56 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13 mi · 16 min · Tri-State Tollway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward IL 60: Town Line Road
2941 ft · 58 sec
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7
Turn straight onto East Townline Road
2448 ft · 52 sec · East Townline Road
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8
Continue on Townline Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Townline Road
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9
Continue on W Kennedy Road
2498 ft · 49 sec · W Kennedy Road
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10
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Skokie Highway
1396 ft · 30 sec · South Skokie Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right
1302 ft · 38 sec
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12
Turn right onto West Deerpath
1.2 mi · 3 min · West Deerpath
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13
Turn left onto North McKinley Road
2419 ft · 52 sec · North McKinley Road
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14
Turn slight right onto East Woodland Road
62 m · 7 sec · East Woodland Road
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15
Turn slight left onto Griffith Road
22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Griffith Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Park Ridge and Lake 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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
13 mi · 00h 16m
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.
Rain Showers leaving Park Ridge and Rain Showers near Lake Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Park Ridge to Lake Forest?
The road trip is about 22.4 miles (36.1 km) and usually takes 00h 34m 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?
Ridgeland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.2 miles from Park Ridge and 11.2 miles from Lake Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.1 miles (27.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 7:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.69 one way or $7.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Park Ridge and Rain Showers near Lake Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Ridgeland
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 Ridgeland.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Park Ridge and Lake Forest. Straight-line distance: 17.1 mi (27.52 km).
#1 Park Ridge
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 36,514 |
| Coordinates | 42.0111400, -87.8406200 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Forest
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 19,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.2586300, -87.8406300 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Forest (-87.84063, 42.25863)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 36 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $3.69 | $7.37 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $4.18 | $8.36 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $4.61 | $9.22 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $5.19 | $10.38 |
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