How far is Reading, IL from Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Reading, IL to Chicago, IL is about 99.7 miles (160.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 82.6 miles (132.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 37m 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
99.66 mi
01h 48m
Flight
82.57 mi
132.88 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Reading.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
82.57 mi
Kilometers
132.88 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
99.66 mi
Kilometers
160.38 km
Drive Time
01h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chicago
Wed, Apr 22, 9:56 PM CDT
Return by in Reading
Wed, Apr 22, 11:45 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Reading
2026-04-22T20:08
Arrive Chicago
Wed, Apr 22, 9:56 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:49 AM to 11:49 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:52 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Reading
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
Channahon
IL

City in Illinois, United States of America

From Reading
49.7 mi
00h 54m
To Chicago
50 mi
00h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph WSW
Destination
64°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Reading and Chicago.

  1. 1

    Start on Co Rd 379 E Rd

    1336 ft · 59 sec · Co Rd 379 E Rd

  2. 2

    Turn straight onto North 379 E Road

    1002 ft · 50 sec · North 379 E Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East 3000 North Road

    2.6 mi · 4 min · East 3000 North Road

  4. 4

    Continue on East 3000 N Road

    5.7 mi · 9 min · East 3000 N Road

  5. 5

    Continue on East 3000 North Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · East 3000 North Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto E 3200 N Road

    3 mi · 4 min · E 3200 N Road

  7. 7

    Continue on East 3200 North Road

    10.1 mi · 15 min · East 3200 North Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto I 55 North: Joliet

    2047 ft · 50 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    69 mi · 1 hr 22 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Stevenson Expressway

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Stevenson Expressway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue

    912 ft · 24 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Damen Avenue

    1372 ft · 34 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue

    134 m · 13 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Damen Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue

    2973 ft · 2 min · South Blue Island Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West Cermak Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · West Cermak Road

  17. 17

    Turn right

    46 m · 11 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right

    794 ft · 58 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Reading and Chicago.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
69.4 mi · 70%
East 3200 North Road
10.1 mi · 10%
East 3000 N Road
5.74 mi · 6%
East 3000 North Road
4.35 mi · 4%
Stevenson Expressway
3.63 mi · 4%
E 3200 N Road
2.99 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Merge slight left

69 mi · 01h 22m

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 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.1 mi
82.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Channahon
00h 54m from Reading
Leave By
2:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Reading and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Reading to Chicago?

The road trip is about 99.7 miles (160.4 km) and usually takes 01h 48m 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?

Channahon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.7 miles from Reading and 50 miles from Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 82.6 miles (132.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 2:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.27 one way or $26.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Reading and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Channahon

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

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

RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

16 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Plano

37 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Naperville

40 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

41 mi away
119 West Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Reading and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 82.57 mi (132.88 km).

Reading

#1 Reading

Township in Livingston County, Illinois

Population1,860
Coordinates41.0667000, -88.8542400
Altitude190
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: Co Rd 379 E Rd (-88.853771, 41.066549)
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 160 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.52 gal
13.31 L · about $13.27
Round trip
$26.55
7.04 gal · 26.62 L
Estimated CO2
31.3 kg one way
Round trip: 62.6 kg / 138 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.27 $26.55
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.97 $29.94
Premium $4.65 $16.38 $32.76
Diesel $5.30 $18.67 $37.34

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

There is no time difference between Reading and Chicago. The current time is 20:08:11.

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.