How far is Plainfield, IL from North Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Plainfield, IL to North Chicago, IL is about 65.1 miles (104.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.8 miles (83.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 54m 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
65.14 mi
01h 27m
Flight
51.74 mi
83.27 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Plainfield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.74 mi
Kilometers
83.27 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
65.14 mi
Kilometers
104.84 km
Drive Time
01h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Chicago
Fri, Oct 16, 11:45 AM CDT
Return by in Plainfield
Fri, Oct 16, 1:13 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Plainfield
2026-10-16T10:18
Arrive North Chicago
Fri, Oct 16, 11:45 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Plainfield
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Northlake
IL

City in Cook County, Illinois, United States

From Plainfield
32.6 mi
00h 43m
To North Chicago
32.6 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Friday

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Oct 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
54°F
Friday

Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Fri, Oct 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Plainfield and North Chicago.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Plainfield and North Chicago.

  1. 1

    Start on West Hazelcrest Drive

    94 m · 16 sec · West Hazelcrest Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Division Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Division Street

  3. 3

    Turn sharp left onto South Naperville Road

    851 ft · 22 sec · South Naperville Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Mill Street

    595 ft · 30 sec · North Mill Street

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Main Street

    2.1 mi · 3 min · East Main Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight toward I 55 North

    1.1 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    15.4 mi · 20 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 294 Tollway North: Wisconsin

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin

    1694 ft · 41 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    34.4 mi · 42 min · Tri-State Tollway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 137: Buckley Road

    1522 ft · 39 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto Buckley Road

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Buckley Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Bobby E. Thompson Expressway

    1.4 km · 60 sec · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway

  15. 15

    Continue on Sheridan Road

    2526 ft · 39 sec · Sheridan Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Broadway

    654 ft · 24 sec · Broadway

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Park Avenue

    63 m · 10 sec · Park Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Fellows Place

    14 m · 2 sec · Fellows Place

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Fellows Place

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Plainfield and North 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
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Tri-State Tollway
39.2 mi · 60%
I 55 North
16 mi · 25%
Buckley Road
2.9 mi · 4%
East Main Street
2.1 mi · 3%
I 294 Tollway North
1.56 mi · 2%
North Division Street
0.89 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Tri-State Tollway

Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

34.4 mi · 00h 42m

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 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.3 mi
51.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Northlake
00h 43m from Plainfield
Leave By
3:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Scattered Rain Showers leaving Plainfield and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely near North Chicago.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Plainfield to North Chicago?

The road trip is about 65.1 miles (104.8 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?

Northlake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.6 miles from Plainfield and 32.6 miles from North Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 51.8 miles (83.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.80 one way or $21.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Plainfield and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely near North Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Northlake

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

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

RAIL

La Grange Road

11 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

15 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.
RAIL

Glenview station

19 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

22 mi away
225 South Canal Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Plainfield and North Chicago. Straight-line distance: 51.74 mi (83.27 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Plainfield

Plainfield is a place in Illinois, United States.

Population0
Coordinates41.6269700, -88.2039500
Altitude188
CountryUnited States
North Chicago

#2 North Chicago

City and suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA

Population29,639
Coordinates42.3255800, -87.8411800
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Start: Plainfield (-88.20395, 41.62697)
End: North Chicago (-87.84118, 42.32558)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 105 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.3 gal
8.7 L · about $10.80
Round trip
$21.59
4.6 gal · 17.4 L
Estimated CO2
20.4 kg one way
Round trip: 40.9 kg / 90 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.69 $10.80 $21.59
Mid-grade $5.33 $12.26 $24.52
Premium $5.88 $13.51 $27.03
Diesel $6.58 $15.13 $30.26

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Plainfield and North Chicago. The current time is 10:18:41.

Distance to Other Cities

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