How far is Washington, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Washington, IL to Chicago, IL is about 143.2 miles (230.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.8 miles (194.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 29m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Washington and Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington and Chicago.
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1
Start on the route
28 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn left onto Peoria Street
47 m · 7 sec · Peoria Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Walnut Street
95 m · 17 sec · Walnut Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Walnut Street
1 mi · 2 min · Walnut Street
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5
Continue on Eureka Road
3 mi · 5 min · Eureka Road
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6
Continue on County Road 800 North
1.6 km · 2 min · County Road 800 North
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7
Continue on County Road 1200 East
1.5 km · 2 min · County Road 1200 East
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8
Turn right onto US Highway 24
1762 ft · 30 sec · US Highway 24
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9
Continue on West Center Street
2 mi · 3 min · West Center Street
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10
Continue on East State Street
11.8 mi · 17 min · East State Street
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11
Continue on West Main Street
9.2 mi · 15 min · West Main Street
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12
Continue on East 3100 North Road
7 mi · 10 min · East 3100 North Road
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13
Take the ramp right toward I 55 North: Joliet
1762 ft · 43 sec
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14
Merge slight left
99.8 mi · 1 hr 55 min
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15
Continue on Stevenson Expressway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Stevenson Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Damen Avenue, Ashland Avenue
912 ft · 24 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Damen Avenue
1372 ft · 34 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Ashland Market Place, South Damen Avenue
134 m · 13 sec
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19
Turn straight onto South Damen Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South Damen Avenue
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20
Turn right onto South Blue Island Avenue
2973 ft · 2 min · South Blue Island Avenue
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21
Turn right onto West Cermak Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Cermak Road
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22
Turn right
46 m · 11 sec
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23
Turn right
794 ft · 58 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Washington 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
Merge slight left
99.8 mi · 01h 55m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Washington and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Washington to Chicago?
The road trip is about 143.2 miles (230.5 km) and usually takes 02h 29m 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?
Dwight is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.5 miles from Washington and 71.8 miles from Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120.8 miles (194.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.04 one way or $38.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Washington and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Dwight
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 Dwight.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Kankakee
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Washington and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 120.83 mi (194.45 km).
#1 Washington
City in Tazewell County, Illinois
| Population | 16,395 |
| Coordinates | 40.7036500, -89.4073100 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| 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: 230 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.04 | $38.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.48 | $42.96 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.50 | $47.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.79 | $53.57 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.