How far is Sidney, IL from Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Sidney, IL to Chicago, IL is about 146.3 miles (235.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 128 miles (206 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 06m 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
146.3 mi
02h 33m
Flight
128.01 mi
206.02 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sidney.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
128.01 mi
Kilometers
206.02 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
146.3 mi
Kilometers
235.44 km
Drive Time
02h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chicago
Sat, Apr 18, 1:57 AM CDT
Return by in Sidney
Sat, Apr 18, 4:30 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sidney
2026-04-17T23:24
Arrive Chicago
Sat, Apr 18, 1:57 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:33 AM to 12:33 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sidney
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
Ashkum
IL

Township in Iroquois County, Illinois

From Sidney
75.6 mi
01h 16m
To Chicago
70.6 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 21 mph SSE
Destination
76°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South David Street

    102 m · 17 sec · South David Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    3191 ft · 1 min · East Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto County Road 12

    2.6 mi · 5 min · County Road 12

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on County Road 12

    3.2 mi · 6 min · County Road 12

  5. 5

    Continue on Water Street

    3024 ft · 1 min · Water Street

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on South Elm Street

    1224 ft · 25 sec · South Elm Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto West Sherman Street

    970 ft · 25 sec · West Sherman Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · South Main Street

  9. 9

    Take the ramp left toward I 74 West: Champaign

    1331 ft · 33 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    10.3 mi · 12 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit straight toward Neil Street

    1391 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on North Neil Street

    752 ft · 26 sec · North Neil Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East Marketview Drive

    1336 ft · 38 sec · East Marketview Drive

  14. 14

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

    3 mi · 4 min · North Market Street

  15. 15

    Take the ramp right toward I-57 North: Kankakee

    1642 ft · 40 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    117.8 mi · 2 hr 11 min

  17. 17

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  18. 18

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

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

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road

    1620 ft · 40 sec

  20. 20

    Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street

    74 m · 7 sec · South Ruble Street

  21. 21

    Turn slight left

    23 m · 5 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue

    887 ft · 26 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto South Halsted Street

    737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto West Cermak Road

    976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road

  25. 25

    Turn left

    46 m · 11 sec

  26. 26

    Turn right

    794 ft · 58 sec

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sidney 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
27 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.5 / 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%
County Road 12
5.77 mi · 4%
Dan Ryan Expressway
3.33 mi · 2%
North Market Street
2.99 mi · 2%
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 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.3 mi
128 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ashkum
01h 16m from Sidney
Leave By
1:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Sidney 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 Sidney to Chicago?

The road trip is about 146.3 miles (235.4 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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?

Ashkum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.6 miles from Sidney and 70.6 miles from Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 128 miles (206 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.3 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 1:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.46 one way or $38.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Sidney and Partly Sunny near Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Ashkum

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

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

RAIL

Gilman

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

Kankakee

28 mi away
199 South East Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

46 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

57 mi away
721 West Washington St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sidney and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 128.01 mi (206.02 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Sidney

Village in Champaign County, Illinois, United States

Population1,172
Coordinates40.0250300, -88.0733700
Altitude200
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: South David Street (-88.07332, 40.025031)
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 235 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 26m
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
5.16 gal
19.54 L · about $19.46
Round trip
$38.92
10.32 gal · 39.08 L
Estimated CO2
45.9 kg one way
Round trip: 91.7 kg / 202 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.46 $38.92
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.95 $43.89
Premium $4.65 $24.01 $48.03
Diesel $5.30 $27.37 $54.74

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Sidney and Chicago. The current time is 23:24:21.

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.