Major city · United States
MidlothianMidlothian, Illinois
Skip as a base: Midlothian is a short stop on the Metra Rock Island line, not a place to sleep. Tinley Park or Oak Lawn have more rooms and food — check Metra connections before you plan to ride in.
Midlothian is a village of about 15,000 people in Chicago's south suburbs, 25 km southwest of the Loop, on the Metra Rock Island District line. There is one hotel, a handful of diners and sandwich shops, and no sightseeing district. It works as a half-day stop between Blue Island and Joliet, or as a cheap rail-adjacent pause if you are already driving the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow), Jul–Aug (humid)
- Airports
- MDW · ORD
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Midlothian911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control (US)1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Midlothian, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA quiet residential suburb; the main risks are driving (I-294 and Cicero Avenue traffic), winter ice and unlit side streets at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control (US)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMDW Chicago Midway International (About 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast via Cicero Avenue; 20–35 min by car outside rush hour).MDW Chicago Midway International (About 9.3 mi (15 km) northeast via Cicero Avenue; 20–35 min by car outside rush hour).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: Illinois Route 83 (147th Street) runs east–west, Pulaski Road and Cicero Avenue run north–south…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a diner breakfast$10–18
- Street or quick mealSandwich or sub$9–15
- BeerBeer at a bar$5–8
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data plan, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedCicero Avenue motel double, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedCicero Avenue motel double, a night, per roomUS$95
- High-end bedCicero Avenue motel double, a night, per roomUS$130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MDW Chicago Midway International (About 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast via Cicero Avenue; 20–35 min by car outside rush hour) · ORD Chicago O'Hare International (About 45 km (28 mi) north; 50–80 min by car, longer in rush hour)MDW Chicago Midway International (About 9.3 mi (15 km) northeast via Cicero Avenue; 20–35 min by car outside rush hour) · ORD Chicago O'Hare International (About 28 mi (45 km) north; 50–80 min by car, longer in rush hour)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest Apr (12 rain days), driest Sep (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Midlothian: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
10 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: Illinois Route 83 (147th Street) runs east–west, Pulaski Road and Cicero Avenue run north–south, and I-294 has an interchange at 147th Street. Pace buses run along 147th Street near the centre. Metra's Rock Island District stops in Midlothian on the way between Blue Island and Joliet.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Metra Rock Island District from Midlothian to LaSalle Street
Weekday service is frequent; check weekend timetables.
Door to door: About 45–60 min by car (check)
By car via I-80 or I-294 and I-55; Metra Rock Island District does not serve Joliet, so check rail options before relying on them
Driving is the straightforward option; check traffic and tolls.
Harvey
cautionDoor to door: 15–20 min (check)
I-294 south, about 10 km (6.2 mi)I-294 south, about 6.2 mi (10 km)
Check current conditions and daylight hours before wandering.
Oak Lawn
goDoor to door: 15–20 min (check)
Cicero Avenue north, about 10 km (6.2 mi)Cicero Avenue north, about 6.2 mi (10 km)
Better dining and shopping than Midlothian itself.
Tinley Park
goDoor to door: 15–25 min (check)
I-294 or 159th Street west, about 12 km (7.5 mi)I-294 or 159th Street west, about 7.5 mi (12 km)
More hotels and restaurants; useful if Midlothian's one hotel is full.
Palos Heights
goDoor to door: 15–20 min (check)
Cicero Avenue and 127th Street, about 10 km (6.2 mi)Cicero Avenue and 127th Street, about 6.2 mi (10 km)
Small downtown strip with cafés and a lake path.
Evergreen Park
goDoor to door: 20–30 min (check)
Cicero Avenue north, about 15 km (9.3 mi)Cicero Avenue north, about 9.3 mi (15 km)
Suburban shopping and casual food.
Alsip
goDoor to door: 12–18 min (check)
Cicero Avenue north, about 8 km (5 mi)Cicero Avenue north, about 5 mi (8 km)
Straight shot up Cicero; nothing that needs a whole day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cicero Avenue corridor
The village's listed hotel, Aura Hotel, sits near 144th Street and the I-294 interchange; car-dependent, few walkable meals. Availability and rates: check.
Tinley Park or Oak Lawn (nearby)
More rooms, more restaurants and their own Metra stations; 15–25 min by car from Midlothian. Check Metra connections if you plan to ride in.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Cicero Avenue motel double1 × 1 night × US$95 | US$95 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Metra Rock Island, Midlothian to LaSalle Street, one way2 × US$6 · 2026 estimate; check | US$12 |
| Rideshare, Midway to Midlothian1 × US$30 · 2026 estimate; check | US$30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 · 2026 estimate; check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$39 |
| Trip total≈ US$213 per person per day, bed included | US$426 |
2026 estimate; check
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Rates and fares are estimates — check current prices. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a diner breakfast | $10–18 |
| Sandwich or sub | $9–15 |
| Beer at a bar | $5–8 |
| Metra ride to the Loop | $6–8 |
| Rideshare, 10 km | $18–30 |
| eSIM or data plan, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Most trips need a car: sidewalks exist but the strip is built for driving.
- Metra Rock Island service is less frequent on weekends and late evenings; check the timetable before you rely on it.
- Winter ice and snow on side streets; summer heat and humidity in July–August.
- Some Cicero Avenue motels are long-stay or hourly: read recent reviews before booking.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Poison control (US)
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
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MidlothianMidlothian, Illinois
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in Midlothian; consulates-general are in downtown Chicago (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metra Midlothian → LaSalle Street: about $6–8 one way, about 40–50 min
- Rideshare Midway → Midlothian: $25–40, 20–35 min
- I-294 toll, 147th Street to O'Hare area: about $5–9 with I-PASS
Say or show
- Where is the Metra station? — Where is the Metra station?
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Thanks, have a good one — Thanks, have a good one
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Midlothian. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, snow), Jul–Aug (humid) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MDW and ORD: Metra and Pace last departures field-checked, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: 147th Street and Keystone Avenue, the Metra station, the Cicero Avenue hotel strip.
- Place pages with verified hours for the diners and sandwich shops on 147th Street, plus last orders.
- Hostile-weather fixtures (ice, summer storms) so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
Ask about Midlothian
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