How far is Poplar Grove, IL from Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Poplar Grove, IL to Chicago, IL is about 79.7 miles (128.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 70 miles (112.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 57m 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
79.63 mi
01h 28m
Flight
69.94 mi
112.55 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Poplar Grove.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
69.94 mi
Kilometers
112.55 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
79.63 mi
Kilometers
128.15 km
Drive Time
01h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chicago
Wed, May 13, 8:30 PM CDT
Return by in Poplar Grove
Wed, May 13, 9:59 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Poplar Grove
2026-05-13T19:01
Arrive Chicago
Wed, May 13, 8:30 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:29 AM to 11:29 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Poplar Grove
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
Elgin
IL

The second most populous city in Kane County, Illinois.

From Poplar Grove
40.2 mi
00h 44m
To Chicago
39.5 mi
00h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
61°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Poplar Grove and Chicago.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Poplar Grove and Chicago.

  1. 1

    Start on North State Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · North State Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Poplar Grove Road

    6.4 mi · 9 min · Poplar Grove Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Lawrenceville Road

    1030 ft · 31 sec · Lawrenceville Road

  4. 4

    Turn right

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  5. 5

    Continue on Genoa Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · Genoa Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left

    2930 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    11.9 mi · 13 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    40.6 mi · 44 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    1772 ft · 22 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    526 ft · 30 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  11. 11

    Merge slight right onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    123 m · 5 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 171 South: Cumberland Avenue South

    1 mi · 2 min · Cumberland flyover

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on IL 171 South: Cumberland Avenue

    75 m · 8 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Cumberland Avenue

    874 ft · 28 sec · North Cumberland Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on North Cumberland Avenue

    2310 ft · 1 min · North Cumberland Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West Higgins Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Higgins Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto North Oriole Avenue

    99 m · 14 sec · North Oriole Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto West Higgins Avenue

    2.7 mi · 6 min · West Higgins Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto North Central Avenue

    929 ft · 26 sec · North Central Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto West Lawrence Avenue

    1858 ft · 43 sec · West Lawrence Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue

    3138 ft · 1 min · North Milwaukee Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue

    2904 ft · 1 min · West Montrose Avenue

  23. 23

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East

    1721 ft · 42 sec

  24. 24

    Merge slight left onto Kennedy Expressway

    7.9 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway

  25. 25

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street

    1398 ft · 34 sec

  27. 27

    Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue

    963 ft · 30 sec · South Union Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue

    154 m · 13 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  29. 29

    Turn left onto South Halsted Street

    737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street

  30. 30

    Turn right onto West Cermak Road

    976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road

  31. 31

    Turn left

    46 m · 11 sec

  32. 32

    Turn right

    794 ft · 58 sec

  33. 33

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Poplar Grove and 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
33 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
53 mi · 67%
Kennedy Expressway
7.86 mi · 10%
Poplar Grove Road
6.39 mi · 8%
West Higgins Avenue
2.69 mi · 3%
Genoa Road
1.24 mi · 2%
West Higgins Road
1.05 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

40.6 mi · 00h 44m

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 28m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.7 mi
70 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Elgin
00h 44m from Poplar Grove
Leave By
3:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Poplar Grove and Partly Sunny near Chicago.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Poplar Grove to Chicago?

The road trip is about 79.7 miles (128.2 km) and usually takes 01h 28m 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?

Elgin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.2 miles from Poplar Grove and 39.5 miles from Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 70 miles (112.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.7 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 3:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.60 one way or $21.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Poplar Grove and Partly Sunny near Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Elgin

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

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

RAIL

Naperville

31 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Glenview station

40 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

La Grange Road

42 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

47 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Poplar Grove and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 69.94 mi (112.55 km).

Poplar Grove

#1 Poplar Grove

Human settlement

Population5,075
Coordinates42.3683500, -88.8220500
Altitude274
CountryUnited States
Chicago

#2 Chicago

The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.

Population2,677,643
Coordinates41.850033, -87.6500523
Altitude179
CountryUnited States
Start: North State Street (-88.822144, 42.368349)
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 128 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.81 gal
10.64 L · about $10.60
Round trip
$21.19
5.62 gal · 21.28 L
Estimated CO2
25 kg one way
Round trip: 49.9 kg / 110 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.60 $21.19
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.95 $23.90
Premium $4.65 $13.08 $26.16
Diesel $5.30 $14.90 $29.81

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 · May 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Poplar Grove and Chicago. The current time is 19:01:54.

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.