How far is Winthrop Harbor, IL from Chicago, IL?

The driving distance from Winthrop Harbor, IL to Chicago, IL is about 59.5 miles (95.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 44.4 miles (71.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 24m 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
59.49 mi
01h 12m
Flight
44.35 mi
71.38 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Winthrop Harbor.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
44.35 mi
Kilometers
71.38 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
59.49 mi
Kilometers
95.74 km
Drive Time
01h 12m

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 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chicago
Sun, Apr 19, 3:25 PM CDT
Return by in Winthrop Harbor
Sun, Apr 19, 4:37 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Winthrop Harbor
2026-04-19T14:13
Arrive Chicago
Sun, Apr 19, 3:25 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:12 AM to 11:12 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Winthrop Harbor
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
Highland Park
IL

City in Lake County, Illinois, United States

From Winthrop Harbor
25.3 mi
00h 36m
To Chicago
34.2 mi
00h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW
Destination
52°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Winthrop Harbor and Chicago.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Winthrop Harbor and Chicago.

  1. 1

    Start on Sheridan Road

    6.6 mi · 14 min · Sheridan Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Greenwood Avenue

    1637 ft · 32 sec · West Greenwood Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward IL 137

    5.5 mi · 7 min

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Buckley Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Buckley Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto North Skokie Highway

    5.6 mi · 7 min · North Skokie Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Skokie Valley Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Skokie Valley Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Skokie Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Skokie Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on Edens Expressway

    13.7 mi · 17 min · Edens Expressway

  9. 9

    Continue on Kennedy Expressway

    8.1 mi · 12 min · Kennedy Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue on Dan Ryan Expressway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Dan Ryan Expressway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward 18th Street

    1398 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Turn slight left onto South Union Avenue

    963 ft · 30 sec · South Union Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue

    154 m · 13 sec · South Canalport Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South Halsted Street

    737 ft · 19 sec · South Halsted Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West Cermak Road

    976 ft · 25 sec · West Cermak Road

  16. 16

    Turn left

    46 m · 11 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right

    794 ft · 58 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Winthrop Harbor and 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
18 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Edens Expressway
13.7 mi · 23%
Kennedy Expressway
8.12 mi · 14%
Sheridan Road
6.59 mi · 11%
North Skokie Highway
5.61 mi · 9%
IL 137
5.53 mi · 9%
Skokie Highway
3.76 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Edens Expressway

Continue on Edens Expressway

13.7 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 12m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.1 mi
44.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Highland Park
00h 36m from Winthrop Harbor
Leave By
4:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Winthrop Harbor 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 Winthrop Harbor to Chicago?

The road trip is about 59.5 miles (95.7 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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?

Highland Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.3 miles from Winthrop Harbor and 34.2 miles from Chicago.

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

The direct path is about 44.4 miles (71.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 4:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.92 one way or $15.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Winthrop Harbor and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Chicago.

Stop Ideas Near Highland Park

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Highland Park, 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 Highland Park.

RAIL

Glenview station

12 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Chicago Union Station

36 mi away
225 South Canal Street
RAIL

La Grange Road

41 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

43 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Winthrop Harbor and Chicago. Straight-line distance: 44.35 mi (71.38 km).

Winthrop Harbor

#1 Winthrop Harbor

Village in Illinois, United States

Population6,568
Coordinates42.4789100, -87.8236800
Altitude194
CountryUnited States
Chicago

#2 Chicago

The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.

Population2,677,643
Coordinates41.850033, -87.6500523
Altitude179
CountryUnited States
Start: Sheridan Road (-87.823652, 42.478907)
End: (-87.650099, 41.850032)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 96 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.1 gal
7.95 L · about $7.92
Round trip
$15.84
4.2 gal · 15.9 L
Estimated CO2
18.7 kg one way
Round trip: 37.3 kg / 82 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.92 $15.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.93 $17.86
Premium $4.65 $9.77 $19.55
Diesel $5.30 $11.14 $22.28

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

There is no time difference between Winthrop Harbor and Chicago. The current time is 14:13:17.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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