How far is West Chicago, IL from Palatine, IL?
The driving distance from West Chicago, IL to Palatine, IL is about 24.1 miles (38.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.8 miles (28.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 38m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Chicago and Palatine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Chicago and Palatine.
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1
Start on the route
12 m · 5 sec
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2
Turn right
15 m · 6 sec
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3
Turn right onto East Washington Street
1.4 km · 2 min · East Washington Street
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4
Continue on Geneva Road
4.2 mi · 8 min · Geneva Road
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5
Turn left onto South Schmale Road
1 mi · 2 min · South Schmale Road
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6
Turn right onto East North Avenue
3.3 mi · 6 min · East North Avenue
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7
Turn left onto I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
2199 ft · 54 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
4 mi · 5 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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9
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 7 min
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10
Keep slight left
2.2 mi · 3 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Kirchoff Road
1873 ft · 50 sec
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12
Turn left onto Kirchoff Road
853 ft · 25 sec · Kirchoff Road
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13
Turn right onto West Frontage Road
122 m · 9 sec · West Frontage Road
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14
Continue on Hicks Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Hicks Road
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15
Turn left onto East Northwest Highway
1662 ft · 55 sec · East Northwest Highway
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16
Turn left onto East Palatine Road
22 m · 1 sec · East Palatine Road
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Palatine Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Chicago and Palatine.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left
5.58 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving West Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Palatine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Chicago to Palatine?
The road trip is about 24.1 miles (38.8 km) and usually takes 00h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Glendale Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.1 miles from West Chicago and 12.1 miles from Palatine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.8 miles (28.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.21 one way or $6.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around West Chicago and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Palatine.
Stop Ideas Near Glendale Heights
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 Glendale Heights.
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Chicago and Palatine. Straight-line distance: 17.86 mi (28.74 km).
#1 West Chicago
City in DuPage County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 26,593 |
| Coordinates | 41.8847500, -88.2039600 |
| Altitude | 239 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Palatine
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 66,830 |
| Coordinates | 42.1103000, -88.0342400 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palatine (-88.03424, 42.1103)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 39 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.21 | $6.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.62 | $7.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.96 | $7.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.51 | $9.02 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.