Toronto To Chicago Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

Traveling from Toronto to Chicago is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA and Canada. The 825 km road trip from Toronto to Chicago takes around 8 hours and 24 mins of driving without stops.

This article includes 15 top tips that turn your Toronto to Chicago drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Toronto to Chicago, take your coffee and keep reading!

5 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From Toronto To Chicago

On the Toronto to Chicago road trip, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top five hotels on the Toronto – Chicago route!

1. Visitors Inn: Visitors Inn is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the Toronto to Chicago road trip. Driving from Toronto to the Visitors Inn might take around 51 mins. The accommodations at the hotel include 60 guest rooms appointed with queen and king-size beds, Kitchenette rooms, Special Jacuzzi Suites, and Two-Bedroom Family Suites. On-site parking is available for guests. Check the Visitors Inn, one of the best hotels in Hamilton, Ontario, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Idlewyld Inn & Spa: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Chicago from Toronto is Idlewyld Inn & Spa. Located in London, Ontario, the hotel is 191 km away from Toronto, and it would take 2 hours to drive. Idlewyld, built-in 1878 as the private home of Charles Smith Hayman, is a charming Victorian-style property with many original details. Select rooms also feature a spa tub. If you want to learn more about the Idlewyld Inn & Spa, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Hyatt Place Lansing – East: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to Hyatt Place Lansing – East. Hyatt Place Lansing – East is located in Lansing, Michigan, and it’s 482 km away from Toronto. You can arrive there in 4 hours and 50 mins of non-stop driving. Hyatt Place Lansing is a popular choice for travelers looking for a trendy and conveniently located hotel. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s pool and lounge area or explore the many restaurants and attractions nearby. Free parking is available for guests with vehicles. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Hyatt Place Lansing – East for more information.
4. Fairfield Inn by Marriott Battle Creek: If you are taking the road trip from Toronto to Chicago, Battle Creek, Michigan, is must have a place you should visit. Fairfield Inn by Marriott Battle Creek is one of the best hotels in town. It is Fairfield Inn by Marriott Battle Creek, 565 km from Toronto, and it would take 5 hours and 41 mins to drive. Start your day with a complimentary breakfast, including hot coffee, assorted juices, and grab-and-go breakfast items. Then, stay fit at the 24-hour open fitness center, and satisfy cravings at the Corner Market with treats and snacks any time, day or night. If you need more info about the price and availability of Fairfield Inn by Marriott Battle Creek, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. 4411 Inn & Suites: Our next hotel is 4411 Inn & Suites, Michigan City, Indiana. It will take 7 hours, and 15 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Toronto. The 4411 Inn & Suites is a 26-room lodging destination near Indiana’s Lake Michigan beaches, available for individual nightly rates or large group buyouts. The Inn is located in Michigan’s “Harbor Country” and features mid-century modern-inspired accommodations. Check the 4411 Inn & Suites on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of 4411 Inn & Suites for reviews, prices, and availability.

In this part, we explained five different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Toronto to Chicago. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. It will help people who will take the same Toronto to Chicago route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from Toronto to Chicago. We have five restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

5 Best Restaurants On The Toronto To Chicago Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Toronto to Chicago road trip. In this section, we list the five different restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Toronto to Chicago. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Quatrefoil, Hamilton: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the Toronto to Chicago road trip with Quatrefoil, Hamilton. Quatrefoil, Hamilton is located in Hamilton, Ontario, 72.7 km from Toronto. It would take 57 mins of driving. The Quatrefoil Restaurant offers contemporary French cuisine. Drawing inspiration from the bountiful local ingredients sourced from the region, the Quatrefoil team creates classic menus in a sophisticated yet relaxed environment. For more information about Quatrefoil, Hamilton, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Quatrefoil, Hamilton.
2. Waldo’s on King: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Chicago from Toronto is Waldo’s on King. Located in London, Ontario, Waldo’s on King is 192 km from Toronto and would take 2 hours of driving. The atmosphere at Mark’s restaurant is fun, casual, and relaxed. Mark and his hand-picked team will cook for you and dedicate most of their time to the kitchen. If you want to learn more about Waldo’s on King, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Meat BBQ: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Meat BBQ. It will take 4 hours and 54 mins of car drive to take 479 km from Toronto to Meat BBQ, Lansing, Michigan. Meat is the perfect place for you if you’re looking for a delicious smoked chicken wing, juicy brisket, or tender pulled pork. You’re sure to have a good time at Meat, with a fun atmosphere and great food. You can check Meat BBQ on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.
4. Clara’s on the River: Clara’s on the River deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Battle Creek, Michigan. Good friends, great food, and beautiful surroundings reminiscent of a simpler time–what more could you ask for? Clara’s is the perfect place to get together and have a good time. Clara’s on the River is 565 km away from Toronto, and it would take 5 hours and 42 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Clara’s on the River, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Panini Panini: If you enjoy dining, Panini Panini, would be an excellent choice in Michigan City, Indiana. It’s 735 km from Toronto and would take 7 hours and 22 mins of car driving. The menu features a mix of classic European food, such as sandwiches, pasta, and desserts. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available. The food is made fresh daily and handcrafted on demand. If you want to learn more about the Panini Panini, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

This section lists our five restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from Toronto to Chicago. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 825 km journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Chicago road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Toronto to Chicago. Keep reading.

5 Places To Visit On The Toronto To Chicago Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Chicago. However, there are also some unique destinations, like Hamilton, Ontario, on your road trip. Therefore, we want to explain the top five destinations we recommend on the Chicago route.

• Dundurn Castle: Dundurn Castle will be the first destination we recommend you stop by on your Toronto to Chicago road trip. Located in Hamilton, Ontario, Dundurn Castle is 65.6 km away from Toronto, and it would take 49 mins to drive. So instead, take a guided tour of this 40-room Italianate-style villa built in the 1830s on Burlington Heights. This was the site of a fortified military encampment established by the British in 1813. If you want to learn more about Dundurn Castle, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Fanshawe Pioneer Village: Fanshawe Pioneer Village, London, Ontario, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop by on the Toronto to Chicago route. It’s 193 km from Toronto and will take about 2 hours of driving. Fanshawe Pioneer Village is a living history museum in London, Ontario, which tells the story of London and Middlesex County between 1820 and 1920. Visitors can explore 19th-century homes and buildings, watch demonstrations, and see history come to life at the Heritage Village. If you want to learn more about Fanshawe Pioneer Village, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Michigan State Capitol: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Toronto to Chicago is Lansing, Michigan. And if you’ll visit Lansing, Michigan, we suggest you visit Michigan State Capitol. You can arrive Michigan State Capitol after 4 hours and 56 mins of driving. The Michigan State Capitol building, designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1992, has served as the state’s seat of government since its completion in 1879. The building’s dome is an impressive sight. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of the Michigan State Capitol for more information.
• Horrock’s: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Horrock’s, Battle Creek, Michigan, on the Toronto to Chicago road trip. Horrock’s is 495 km from Toronto, and you can arrive there after the 4 hours and 57 mins of drive. The store offers fresh fruits and vegetables, a deli and cheese selection, reasonable prices, and top-notch service. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Horrock’s before going there.
• Washington Park, Michigan: Located in Michigan City, Indiana, Washington Park, Michigan, ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the road trip from Toronto to Chicago. You must take 7 hours and 23 mins of driving to arrive at Washington Park, Michigan. The beach is large and clean, with volleyball courts and a bathroom. The small restaurant has food and beer. The beach is beautiful and large enough to have some privacy. If you want to learn more about Washington Park, Michigan, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Toronto to Chicago

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Toronto to Chicago drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Toronto To Chicago?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the Toronto to Chicago road trip takes approximately 8 hours and 24 mins to drive. Therefore, the driving distance between Toronto to Chicago is 825 km.
• If you want to make the Toronto to Chicago road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be two days and 1 hour.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Toronto-Chicago route, you will have to walk for six days and 21 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Toronto To Chicago?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Chicago. On the road, you can visit Hamilton, Ontario; London, Ontario; Lansing, Michigan; Battle Creek, Michigan; Michigan City, Indiana. Here we list five places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on the Toronto to Chicago journey, you can check the 5 Best Places To Visit On The Way From Toronto To Chicago part.

1. Dundurn Castle: 65.6 km / 49 mins to drive from Toronto | 761 km / 7 hours and 39 mins of driving to Chicago.
2. Fanshawe Pioneer Village: 193 km / 2 hours to drive from Toronto | 663 km / 6 hours and 51 mins of driving to Chicago.
3. Michigan State Capitol: 481 km / 4 hours and 56 mins to drive from Toronto | 219 miles / 3 hours and 46 mins of driving to Chicago.
4. Horrock’s: 495 km / 4 hours and 57 mins to drive from Toronto | 214 miles / 3 hours and 41 mins of driving to Chicago.
5. Washington Park, Michigan: 732 km / 7 hours and 23 mins to drive from Toronto | 58.2 miles / 1 hour and 16 mins of driving to Chicago.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Toronto To Chicago?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from Toronto to Chicago. We have selected five hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 5 Best Hotels On The Way To Chicago From Toronto section.

• Visitors Inn: 68.6 km / 51 mins to drive from Toronto | 761 km / 7 hours and 38 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Idlewyld Inn & Spa: 191 km / 2 hours to drive from Toronto | 646 km / 6 hours and 42 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Hyatt Place Lansing – East: 482 km / 4 hours and 50 mins to drive from Toronto | 224 miles / 3 hours and 53 mins of driving to Chicago.
• Fairfield Inn by Marriott Battle Creek: 565 km / 5 hours and 41 mins to drive from Toronto | 169 miles / 2 hours and 53 mins of driving to Chicago.
• 4411 Inn & Suites: 723 km / 7 hours and 15 mins to drive from Toronto | 66.0 miles / 1 hour and 18 mins of driving to Chicago.

Where To Eat Between Toronto to Chicago?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Toronto to Chicago drive, you can consider the five restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 5 Best Restaurants On The Way From Toronto To Chicago.

1. Quatrefoil, Hamilton: 72.7 km / 57 mins to drive from Toronto | 758 km / 7 hours and 42 mins of driving to Chicago.
2. Waldo’s on King: 192 km / 2 hours to drive from Toronto | 648 km / 6 hours and 45 mins of driving to Chicago.
3. Meat BBQ: 479 km / 4 hours and 54 mins to drive from Toronto | 220 miles / 3 hours and 49 mins of driving to Chicago.
4. Clara’s on the River: 565 km / 5 hours and 42 mins to drive from Toronto | 169 miles / 2 hours and 54 mins of driving to Chicago.
5. Panini Panini: 735 km / 7 hours and 22 mins to drive from Toronto | 59.1 miles / 1 hour and 14 mins of driving to Chicago.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Toronto to Chicago. We have listed five hotels, five restaurants, and five places to visit on the Toronto to Chicago drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from Toronto to Chicago as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken the Toronto to Chicago road trip? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Toronto to Chicago and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.