How far is Preston Heights, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Preston Heights, IL to Chicago, IL is about 44.8 miles (72.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.3 miles (53.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 49m 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.
City in Cook County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Preston Heights and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Preston Heights and Chicago.
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1
Start on Haviland Drive
61 m · 11 sec · Haviland Drive
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2
Turn right onto Zurich Road
82 m · 7 sec · Zurich Road
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3
Turn left onto South Chicago Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Chicago Street
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4
Turn left onto I 80 East: Gary Indiana
1109 ft · 35 sec
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5
Merge slight left
18.7 mi · 23 min
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6
Take the exit slight left toward I 57 North, I 294 North: Chicago, Wisconsin
2647 ft · 50 sec
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7
Merge slight left
13.4 mi · 18 min
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8
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.2 mi · 9 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
1620 ft · 40 sec
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11
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
74 m · 7 sec · South Ruble Street
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12
Turn slight left
23 m · 5 sec
-
13
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
887 ft · 26 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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14
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
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15
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
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16
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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17
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Preston Heights and Chicago.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 East
Merge slight left
18.7 mi · 00h 23m
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 Preston Heights and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Preston Heights to Chicago?
The road trip is about 44.8 miles (72.1 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?
Oak Forest is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.4 miles from Preston Heights and 22.4 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.3 miles (53.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 4:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.96 one way or $11.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Preston Heights and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Oak Forest
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 Oak Forest.
Homewood
Dyer station
Summit
Hammond–Whiting station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Preston Heights and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 33.31 mi (53.6 km).
#1 Preston Heights
Census designated place
| Population | 2,575 |
| Coordinates | 41.4917000, -88.0817200 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chicago
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,677,643 |
| Coordinates | 41.850033, -87.6500523 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 72 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.96 | $11.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.72 | $13.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.35 | $14.71 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.38 | $16.76 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.