How far is Saint Joseph, IL from Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Saint Joseph, IL to Chicago, IL is about 146 miles (234.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 22m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 121.9 miles (196.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 45m 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
145.95 mi
02h 22m
Flight
121.83 mi
196.07 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint Joseph.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
121.83 mi
Kilometers
196.07 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
145.95 mi
Kilometers
234.89 km
Drive Time
02h 22m

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 02h 22m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chicago
Thu, Apr 16, 1:31 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Joseph
Thu, Apr 16, 3:54 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Joseph
2026-04-15T23:08
Arrive Chicago
Thu, Apr 16, 1:31 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 22m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:23 AM to 12:23 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint Joseph
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
Clifton
IL

Village in Chebanse Township, Iroquois County, Illinois, USA

From Saint Joseph
71.9 mi
01h 11m
To Chicago
74.1 mi
01h 11m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 17 mph SSW
Destination
74°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Joseph and Chicago.

  1. 1

    Start on North Main Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · North Main Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp left toward I 74 West: Champaign

    1331 ft · 33 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    10.3 mi · 12 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit straight toward Neil Street

    1391 ft · 34 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on North Neil Street

    752 ft · 26 sec · North Neil Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto East Marketview Drive

    1336 ft · 38 sec · East Marketview Drive

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Market Street

    3 mi · 4 min · North Market Street

  8. 8

    Take the ramp right toward I-57 North: Kankakee

    1642 ft · 40 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    117.8 mi · 2 hr 11 min

  10. 10

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

    6.2 mi · 9 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road

    1620 ft · 40 sec

  13. 13

    Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street

    74 m · 7 sec · South Ruble Street

  14. 14

    Turn slight left

    23 m · 5 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue

    887 ft · 26 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South Halsted Street

    737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Cermak Road

    976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road

  18. 18

    Turn left

    46 m · 11 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right

    794 ft · 58 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Joseph 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
20 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-57 North
118 mi · 81%
I 74 West
10.6 mi · 7%
Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.18 mi · 4%
Dan Ryan Expressway
3.33 mi · 2%
North Market Street
2.99 mi · 2%
North Main Street
0.73 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I-57 North

Merge slight left

118 mi · 02h 11m

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
02h 22m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.1 mi
121.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clifton
01h 11m from Saint Joseph
Leave By
1:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Saint Joseph and Showers And Thunderstorms near Chicago.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Saint Joseph to Chicago?

The road trip is about 146 miles (234.9 km) and usually takes 02h 22m 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?

Clifton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.9 miles from Saint Joseph and 74.1 miles from Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 121.9 miles (196.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 1:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.42 one way or $38.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Saint Joseph and Showers And Thunderstorms near Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Clifton

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

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

RAIL

Gilman

20 mi away
US Hwy 24 & West Wenona St.
RAIL

Kankakee

21 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

45 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

59 mi away
721 West Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Joseph and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 121.83 mi (196.07 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Saint Joseph

Human settlement in Champaign County, Illinois, United States of America

Population3,800
Coordinates40.1117000, -88.0417000
Altitude205
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 Main Street (-88.041686, 40.111685)
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 235 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.15 gal
19.5 L · about $19.42
Round trip
$38.84
10.3 gal · 39 L
Estimated CO2
45.8 kg one way
Round trip: 91.5 kg / 202 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.42 $38.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.90 $43.81
Premium $4.65 $23.97 $47.94
Diesel $5.30 $27.32 $54.63

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Joseph and Chicago. The current time is 23:08:29.

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.