How far is Sparta, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Sparta, IL to Chicago, IL is about 321.5 miles (517.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 279.4 miles (449.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 16m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Douglas County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sparta and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sparta and Chicago.
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1
Start on South Market Street
11 m · 6 sec · South Market Street
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2
Turn left onto East Broadway Street
3241 ft · 55 sec · East Broadway Street
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3
Continue on East Braodway Street
2 mi · 3 min · East Braodway Street
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4
Turn straight
15.4 mi · 23 min
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Kennedy Drive
13 m · 1 sec · Kennedy Drive
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Kennedy Drive
2031 ft · 34 sec · Kennedy Drive
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7
Continue on West Water Street
2977 ft · 58 sec · West Water Street
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8
Turn left onto North Main Street
21.7 mi · 27 min · North Main Street
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9
Take the exit right
1855 ft · 45 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
10.3 mi · 11 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 51: Centralia, Ashley
1557 ft · 39 sec
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12
Turn left onto United States Route 51
8.8 mi · 11 min · United States Route 51
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13
Continue on Elm Street
2.6 mi · 6 min · Elm Street
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14
Continue on South Broadway
1.4 km · 1 min · South Broadway
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15
Continue on County Road 180 East
4.3 mi · 6 min · County Road 180 East
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16
Continue on South Mine Street
3231 ft · 54 sec · South Mine Street
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17
Continue on N Mine St
990 ft · 13 sec · N Mine St
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18
Continue on North Mine Street
106 m · 5 sec · North Mine Street
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19
Take the exit slight right
41 m · 4 sec
-
20
Turn right
7.8 mi · 9 min
-
21
Turn left
2149 ft · 54 sec
-
22
Merge slight left
46.6 mi · 50 min
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195.2 mi · 3 hr 34 min
-
24
Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway
3.3 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
-
25
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.2 mi · 9 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward Canalport Avenue, Cermak Road
1620 ft · 40 sec
-
27
Turn slight left onto South Ruble Street
74 m · 7 sec · South Ruble Street
-
28
Turn slight left
23 m · 5 sec
-
29
Turn left onto South Canalport Avenue
887 ft · 26 sec · South Canalport Avenue
-
30
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street
-
31
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road
-
32
Turn left
46 m · 11 sec
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33
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sparta and Chicago.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
195 mi · 03h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Sparta 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 Sparta to Chicago?
The road trip is about 321.5 miles (517.4 km) and usually takes 05h 16m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Arcola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 164.9 miles from Sparta and 156.6 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 279.4 miles (449.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.80 one way or $85.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sparta and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Arcola
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 Arcola.
Mattoon station
Illinois Terminal
Effingham
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sparta and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 279.45 mi (449.73 km).
#1 Sparta
City in Randolph County, Illinois
| Population | 4,202 |
| Coordinates | 38.1231100, -89.7017700 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| 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: 517 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.80 | $85.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.27 | $96.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.82 | $105.65 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $60.20 | $120.40 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.