Drive time

Can you drive from New York to Chicago in one day?

Not comfortably. It is about 12 hours of pure driving on I-80 and I-90, which turns into 15 h 45 min with breaks and meals. That is too long for one safe day, so plan on 2 days and sleep in Cleveland.

Distance

790 miles

Driving only

12 h

Breaks and meals

3 h 45 min

Door to door

15 h 45 min

How we count the time

A 15-minute stop every two hours for fuel, restrooms and a stretch, plus a 45-minute sit-down meal every four hours. Traffic, weather and construction come on top, so check the live route before you leave.

Where to split the drive

Cleveland sits 449 miles in, about 6 h 49 min from New York, leaving 341 miles for the next morning. It is the most even split on the route and has plenty of hotels near the highway.

More on this drive

• Full drive guide
• Best places to stop
• Gas cost
• Driving it in an EV