How far is Wheeling, IL from Palatine, IL?
The driving distance from Wheeling, IL to Palatine, IL is about 7.5 miles (12.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 5.8 miles (9.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 26m 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 13m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Cook 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 Wheeling and Palatine.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wheeling and Palatine.
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1
Start on Railroad Avenue
10 m · 6 sec · Railroad Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West Dundee Road
51 m · 32 sec · West Dundee Road
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3
Continue on West Dundee Road
2228 ft · 1 min · West Dundee Road
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4
Turn left onto South Elmhurst Road
1 mi · 2 min · South Elmhurst Road
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5
Continue on North Elmhurst Road
1.6 km · 2 min · North Elmhurst Road
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6
Turn right onto West Frontage Road
2627 ft · 1 min · West Frontage Road
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7
Turn left onto Schoenbeck Road
8 m · 3 sec · Schoenbeck Road
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8
Turn right onto Palatine Road
4.5 mi · 7 min · Palatine Road
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9
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Palatine Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wheeling 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.
Palatine Road
Turn right onto Palatine Road
4.51 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Wheeling and Mostly Sunny near Palatine.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wheeling to Palatine?
The road trip is about 7.5 miles (12.1 km) and usually takes 00h 13m 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?
Prospect Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3.7 miles from Wheeling and 3.7 miles from Palatine.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 5.8 miles (9.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.7 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 8:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.98 one way or $1.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Wheeling and Mostly Sunny near Palatine.
Stop Ideas Near Prospect 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 Prospect Heights.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wheeling and Palatine. Straight-line distance: 5.75 mi (9.26 km).
#1 Wheeling
City in West Virginia
| Population | 38,958 |
| Coordinates | 42.1391900, -87.9289600 |
| Altitude | 198 |
| 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: 12 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $0.98 | $1.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $1.11 | $2.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $1.21 | $2.42 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $1.38 | $2.76 |
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.