45 Min from O'Hare · Lake County, IL

Escape Chicago in 45 Minutes

Petite Lake Resort  ·  Antioch, IL  ·  Lake County  ·  Chain O' Lakes

O'Hare → Petite Lake: 45 min  ·  Chicago Loop → Petite Lake: 55 min

I-94 N → IL-173 W · Lake County, IL · Chain O' Lakes · Antioch, IL 60002

The Drive

Chicago to the Lake: Faster Than You Think

No long drives. No mountain passes. Just a straight shot up I-94 and a left turn at Antioch, and you're on the water.

🚗 Chicago Drive Times to Petite Lake Resort

  • 45 min O'Hare International Airport → Petite Lake I-190 E → I-294 N → US-41 N → IL-173 W
  • 55 min Chicago Loop → Petite Lake I-94 N → US-41 N → IL-173 W
  • No tolls After I-94 / US-41 IL-173 W into Antioch is toll-free
  • 50 miles Chicago city center to Petite Lake Under 1 hour in normal traffic
Why Chicago Guests Choose PLR

No Hotel Lobbies. No Valet. Just the Lake.

Chicago guests come to PLR because it's the real thing. Not a resort hotel with a lake view. Not a condo by a retention pond. A private lakefront rental home on actual Chain O' Lakes waterfront, with everything included from the moment you arrive.

🧧

Nordic Cedar Sauna

6-person Finnish-style Nordic cedar sauna with a lake-view window. Heat up to 160°F and plunge into Petite Lake. The wellness ritual Chicago spas can't offer.

🏖️

Private Beach

Groomed sandy shoreline with swim buoys, beach loungers, and shaded picnic tables at the water. Your own beach, not shared with 200 hotel guests.

Private Boat Launch

Bring your own boat or rent through our OTC Rentals partner. Trailer parking included. Direct access to 7+ lakes on the Chain O' Lakes system.

🐕

Dog Friendly

Chicago renters know how rare truly dog-friendly lakefront is. Well-behaved dogs of all sizes welcome at PLR with prior notice, lake swimming, and pet trails nearby.

🛶

Kayaks Included

No rental line. No paddle sport shop. Just grab a kayak from the dock and explore the Chain before breakfast. Complimentary for all guests.

🔥

Lakeside Fire Pit

S'mores, sunset, stars. No room service charge, no minibar markup, just a fire pit stocked and ready at the water's edge every night.

North Shore & Suburbs

If You're on the North Shore, You're Closer Than You Think

PLR is a natural escape for North Shore and northwest suburb residents who want a quick weekend reset without the Friday-night traffic of Michigan or Wisconsin. If you live anywhere on the North Shore or northwest corridor, you're 30 to 40 minutes from the dock.

Evanston Highland Park Waukegan Gurnee Libertyville Barrington Crystal Lake Schaumburg Palatine Arlington Heights Mundelein Grayslake

From Evanston, take US-41 N straight to Antioch, under 40 minutes. From Barrington or Crystal Lake, head north on US-14 or IL-59, 35 to 45 minutes depending on your starting point. From Schaumburg or Palatine, I-290 W to IL-53 N or IL-59 N, about 45 to 55 minutes. You're practically neighbors.

Year-Round Escapes

A Different Experience Every Season

Chicago's seasons are extreme, and PLR has the right answer for every one of them.

☀️ Summer

Beach & Boat Season

Sandy beach, swim area, kayaks, boat launch, and long July evenings by the fire pit. The full Chain O' Lakes summer experience, 45 minutes from Chicago.

🍂 Fall

Color + Sauna Season

October foliage turns Petite Lake into a mirror of gold and amber. Sauna sessions in crisp air, boat rides through quiet channels, and the Chain at its most peaceful.

❄️ Winter

Nordic Wellness Season

Nordic cedar sauna at 160°F followed by a plunge in Petite Lake. Ice fishing, snowmobile trails nearby, and the Chain O' Lakes in a state of total winter stillness.

🌼 Spring

Opener Season

The first warm weekends of the year on the water. Spring bird migrations, lower mid-week rates, and the Chain coming alive before the summer crowds arrive.

Also Closer Than Michigan

Chicago lake weekenders often look at South Haven, Holland, or Saugatuck on Lake Michigan, beautiful towns, great beaches. They're also 2.5 to 3.5 hours from Chicago, require crossing into Michigan, and fill up fast in summer. Petite Lake Resort is 45 minutes away. Same lake air. Same fire pit. Same dock. A fraction of the drive.

South Haven MI2 hrs 45 min from Chicago
Holland MI3 hrs from Chicago
Saugatuck MI3 hrs 15 min from Chicago
Petite Lake Resort45 min from O'Hare
Also on the Chain

Three Resorts. Same Lake. Same Drive.

All three properties are within 5 miles of each other on the Chain O' Lakes, 45–55 minutes from Chicago. Different vibes. Same water access.

Petite Lake Resort

Nordic cedar sauna, private boat launch, 5 vacation homes on Petite Lake. Best for groups and families wanting the full lake package. 45 min from O'Hare.

Chicago Getaway →
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Cypress Resort & Marine

100-year-old cypress wood cottages, 480ft sandy beach, hot tub, wedding venue. Historic character on Petite Lake. 50 min from O'Hare.

Chicago Getaway →
🌳

The Hideaway

Two private homes on secluded Grass Lake, no shared guests. Cedar sauna, digital detox, private boat slips. 55 min from O'Hare.

Chicago Getaway →

Book Your Chicago Escape

45 minutes from O'Hare. Private beach, Nordic cedar sauna, boat launch, dog-friendly. Petite Lake Resort on the Chain O' Lakes, Lake County's closest waterfront resort to Chicago.

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