How far is Virginia, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Virginia, IL to Chicago, IL is about 226.8 miles (365 km), with a travel time of about 03h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 187.4 miles (301.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 32m 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 03h 46m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 McLean County, Illinois, United States
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 Virginia and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Virginia and Chicago.
-
1
Start on South 3rd West Street
73 m · 13 sec · South 3rd West Street
-
2
Turn right onto West Springfield Street
723 ft · 35 sec · West Springfield Street
-
3
Turn left onto North Main Street
1139 ft · 31 sec · North Main Street
-
4
Turn right
12.1 mi · 17 min
-
5
Continue straight
11 mi · 16 min
-
6
Continue straight
1.5 km · 1 min
-
7
Continue straight
5 mi · 7 min
-
8
Turn left onto Veterans Parkway
4.2 mi · 6 min · Veterans Parkway
-
9
Continue on North Peoria Road
5.3 mi · 8 min · North Peoria Road
-
10
Take the exit straight
21.4 mi · 24 min
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
130.4 mi · 2 hr 27 min
-
13
Continue on Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Stevenson Expressway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
912 ft · 24 sec
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on Damen Avenue
1372 ft · 34 sec
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
134 m · 13 sec
-
17
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South Damen Avenue
-
18
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
2973 ft · 2 min · South Blue Island Avenue
-
19
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Cermak Road
-
20
Turn right
46 m · 11 sec
-
21
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Virginia 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 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
130 mi · 02h 27m
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 Virginia 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 Virginia to Chicago?
The road trip is about 226.8 miles (365 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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?
Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.2 miles from Virginia and 113.6 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 187.4 miles (301.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.4 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 9:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.17 one way or $60.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Virginia and Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
Normal Town
El Paso City Water Works
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Dwight station
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Virginia and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 187.38 mi (301.56 km).
#1 Virginia
City in Illinois, USA
| Population | 1,406 |
| Coordinates | 39.9511600, -90.2123400 |
| Altitude | 186 |
| 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: 365 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.17 | $60.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.02 | $68.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.23 | $74.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.43 | $84.86 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.