How far is Wheaton, IL from North Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Wheaton, IL to North Chicago, IL is about 47.7 miles (76.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 34.5 miles (55.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 19m 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
47.63 mi
01h 09m
Flight
34.55 mi
55.6 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wheaton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
34.55 mi
Kilometers
55.6 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
47.63 mi
Kilometers
76.66 km
Drive Time
01h 09m

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 01h 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Chicago
Thu, Oct 15, 3:27 PM CDT
Return by in Wheaton
Thu, Oct 15, 4:36 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wheaton
2026-10-15T14:17
Arrive North Chicago
Thu, Oct 15, 3:27 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wheaton
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
Prospect Heights
IL

City in Cook County, Illinois, United States

From Wheaton
23.8 mi
00h 34m
To North Chicago
23.9 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Today

Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 11:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
60°F
Thursday

Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wheaton and North Chicago.

  1. 1

    Start on West Wesley Street

    102 m · 12 sec · West Wesley Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Hale Street

    124 m · 20 sec · North Hale Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Seminary Avenue

    1919 ft · 1 min · West Seminary Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on College Avenue

    1.3 mi · 3 min · College Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on Pennsylvania Avenue

    1.2 km · 2 min · Pennsylvania Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1.8 mi · 4 min · North Main Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · North Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs

    2199 ft · 54 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway

    4 mi · 5 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    5.6 mi · 7 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    4.9 mi · 7 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward East Palatine Road

    2489 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Palatine Road

    6 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Willow Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Willow Road

  15. 15

    Turn sharp left onto I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin

    117 m · 11 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin

    2066 ft · 50 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    14.7 mi · 17 min · Tri-State Tollway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 137: Buckley Road

    1522 ft · 39 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto Buckley Road

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Buckley Road

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Bobby E. Thompson Expressway

    1.4 km · 60 sec · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway

  21. 21

    Continue on Sheridan Road

    2526 ft · 39 sec · Sheridan Road

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Broadway

    654 ft · 24 sec · Broadway

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Park Avenue

    63 m · 10 sec · Park Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Fellows Place

    14 m · 2 sec · Fellows Place

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Fellows Place

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Wheaton and North Chicago.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
25 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
4 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
52.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Tri-State Tollway
14.7 mi · 31%
Veterans Memorial Tollway
14.5 mi · 30%
Palatine Road
5.96 mi · 13%
Buckley Road
2.9 mi · 6%
North Main Street
1.8 mi · 4%
North Avenue
1.34 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Tri-State Tollway

Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

14.7 mi · 00h 17m

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
01h 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.2 mi
34.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Prospect Heights
00h 34m from Wheaton
Leave By
4:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Wheaton and Rain Showers near North Chicago.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Wheaton to North Chicago?

The road trip is about 47.7 miles (76.7 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?

Prospect Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.8 miles from Wheaton and 23.9 miles from North Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 34.5 miles (55.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.2 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 4:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.84 one way or $15.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Wheaton and Rain Showers near North Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Prospect Heights

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

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

RAIL

Glenview station

11 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

La Grange Road

32 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

34 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

Summit

35 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wheaton and North Chicago. Straight-line distance: 34.55 mi (55.6 km).

Wheaton

#1 Wheaton

The most populous city in DuPage County, Illinois.

Population52,451
Coordinates41.8661400, -88.1070100
Altitude231
CountryUnited States
North Chicago

#2 North Chicago

City and suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA

Population29,639
Coordinates42.3255800, -87.8411800
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Start: Wheaton (-88.10701, 41.86614)
End: North Chicago (-87.84118, 42.32558)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 77 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.68 gal
6.36 L · about $7.84
Round trip
$15.67
3.36 gal · 12.72 L
Estimated CO2
14.9 kg one way
Round trip: 29.9 kg / 66 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.67 $7.84 $15.67
Mid-grade $5.29 $8.89 $17.78
Premium $5.84 $9.81 $19.61
Diesel $6.57 $11.04 $22.08

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Wheaton and North Chicago. The current time is 14:17:26.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.