How far is Beardstown, IL from Elgin, IL?

The driving distance from Beardstown, IL to Elgin, IL is about 265.8 miles (427.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 178.7 miles (287.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
265.85 mi
04h 23m
Flight
178.74 mi
287.65 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Beardstown.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
178.74 mi
Kilometers
287.65 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
265.85 mi
Kilometers
427.85 km
Drive Time
04h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elgin
Sat, May 23, 5:32 PM CDT
Return by in Beardstown
Sat, May 23, 9:56 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Beardstown
2026-05-23T13:08
Arrive Elgin
Sat, May 23, 5:32 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:24 AM to 12:24 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:12 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Beardstown
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Towanda
IL

Township in McLean County, Illinois

From Beardstown
117.9 mi
02h 11m
To Elgin
147.9 mi
02h 11m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Saturday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sat, May 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph WNW
Destination
72°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sat, May 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Beardstown and Elgin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Beardstown and Elgin.

  1. 1

    Start on Wall Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · Wall Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Beardstown Road

    2060 ft · 2 min · Beardstown Road

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left

    23.7 mi · 34 min

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    11 mi · 16 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    1.5 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    5 mi · 7 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Veterans Parkway

    4.2 mi · 6 min · Veterans Parkway

  8. 8

    Continue on North Peoria Road

    5.3 mi · 8 min · North Peoria Road

  9. 9

    Take the exit straight

    21.4 mi · 24 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

    29.4 mi · 31 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

    63.6 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight

    1853 ft · 35 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left

    32 mi · 39 min

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Walker Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Walker Road

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Ashley Road

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Ashley Road

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Schoolhouse Road

    2391 ft · 46 sec · East Schoolhouse Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Minkler Road

    3.4 mi · 5 min · Minkler Road

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Minkler Road

    38 m · 4 sec · Minkler Road

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Minkler Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Orchard Road

    11.2 mi · 19 min · Orchard Road

  21. 21

    Turn left onto South Randall Road

    10.5 mi · 18 min · South Randall Road

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Silver Glen Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Silver Glen Road

  23. 23

    At the end of the road, turn left

    6.1 mi · 11 min

  24. 24

    Turn right onto East Chicago Street

    1719 ft · 55 sec · East Chicago Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Beardstown and Elgin.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
25 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
0 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
92.9 mi · 35%
North Peoria Road
26.7 mi · 10%
Beardstown Road
17.3 mi · 6%
Orchard Road
11.2 mi · 4%
South Randall Road
10.5 mi · 4%
Minkler Road
4.29 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

63.6 mi · 01h 08m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+87.1 mi
178.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Towanda
02h 11m from Beardstown
Leave By
8:12 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Beardstown and Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Elgin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Beardstown to Elgin?

The road trip is about 265.8 miles (427.8 km) and usually takes 04h 23m 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?

Towanda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.9 miles from Beardstown and 147.9 miles from Elgin.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 178.7 miles (287.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 87.1 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 8:12 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.37 one way or $70.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Beardstown and Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Elgin.

Stop Ideas Near Towanda

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Towanda and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 7.2 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 9.2 mi away

City of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 9.2 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Towanda.

RAIL

Uptown Station

9 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

41 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Lincoln

61 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

68 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Beardstown and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 178.74 mi (287.65 km).

Beardstown

#1 Beardstown

City in Illinois

Population5,335
Coordinates40.0175500, -90.4242900
Altitude138
CountryUnited States
Elgin

#2 Elgin

The second most populous city in Kane County, Illinois.

Population110,196
Coordinates42.0372500, -88.2811900
Altitude227
CountryUnited States
Start: Wall Street (-90.424491, 40.017462)
End: East Chicago Street (-88.281194, 42.037244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 428 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.38 gal
35.51 L · about $35.37
Round trip
$70.74
18.76 gal · 71.02 L
Estimated CO2
83.4 kg one way
Round trip: 166.7 kg / 368 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $35.37 $70.74
Mid-grade $4.25 $39.89 $79.79
Premium $4.65 $43.65 $87.31
Diesel $5.30 $49.75 $99.50

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 · May 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Beardstown and Elgin. The current time is 13:08:47.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.