How far is Alton, IL from Elmhurst, IL?
The driving distance from Alton, IL to Elmhurst, IL is about 277.9 miles (447.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 239 miles (384.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 35m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alton and Elmhurst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alton and Elmhurst.
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1
Start on Alby Street
58 m · 10 sec · Alby Street
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2
Turn right onto East Broadway
649 ft · 22 sec · East Broadway
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3
Turn right onto Piasa Street
2192 ft · 37 sec · Piasa Street
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4
Continue on Martin Luther King Drive
1.5 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive
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5
Turn right onto College Avenue
1274 ft · 26 sec · College Avenue
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6
Turn right
20 m · 1 sec
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward College Avenue
116 m · 10 sec · College Avenue
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8
Exit the roundabout onto College Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · College Avenue
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9
Continue on West Macarthur Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive
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10
Continue on West MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · West MacArthur Drive
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11
Continue on West Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · West Bethalto Drive
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12
Continue on State Route 140
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140
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13
Continue on West State Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West State Street
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14
Continue on State Route 140
135 m · 14 sec · State Route 140
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15
Take the ramp left
1515 ft · 38 sec
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16
Merge slight left
96.7 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
118.1 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83: Kingery Road
1051 ft · 26 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on IL 83 North: Kingery Road
1156 ft · 28 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on IL 83 North: Kingery Road North
1529 ft · 43 sec
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22
Continue on Kingery Highway
10.4 mi · 15 min · Kingery Highway
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23
Take the exit slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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24
Turn slight right onto West Saint Charles Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Saint Charles Road
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25
Turn left onto South York Street
1 km · 1 min · South York Street
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26
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
12 m · 3 sec · West Park Avenue
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27
Turn slight right
20 m · 5 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alton and Elmhurst.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
118 mi · 02h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Alton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Elmhurst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alton to Elmhurst?
The road trip is about 277.9 miles (447.3 km) and usually takes 04h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Funks Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.8 miles from Alton and 139.1 miles from Elmhurst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 239 miles (384.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.99 one way or $73.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Alton and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Elmhurst.
Stop Ideas Near Funks Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
City Hall - Town of Normal
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Funks Grove.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alton and Elmhurst. Straight-line distance: 239.06 mi (384.73 km).
#1 Alton
City in Madison County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 26,049 |
| Coordinates | 38.8906000, -90.1842800 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elmhurst
A city in DuPage County, Illinois.
| Population | 46,532 |
| Coordinates | 41.8994700, -87.9403400 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.940349, 41.899457)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 447 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.99 | $73.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.72 | $83.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.66 | $91.31 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $52.03 | $104.06 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.