How far is Braidwood, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Braidwood, IL to Elgin, IL is about 71.7 miles (115.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 53.5 miles (86.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 20m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Braidwood and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Braidwood and Elgin.
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1
Start on the route
61 m · 20 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Washington Street
3.6 mi · 5 min · North Washington Street
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3
Take the ramp straight
2274 ft · 55 sec
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4
Merge slight right
29.9 mi · 35 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 355 Toll: Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs
2797 ft · 1 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 355 North: Northwest Suburbs
1.2 mi · 3 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
17.7 mi · 22 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 20: Lake Street
2523 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn left
34 m · 4 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Lake Street
5.8 mi · 10 min · Lake Street
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11
Continue on Lake Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Lake Street
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12
Continue on West Lake Street
5.2 mi · 7 min · West Lake Street
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13
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
1279 ft · 22 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
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14
Turn slight left onto Villa Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Villa Street
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15
Turn left
95 m · 28 sec
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16
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
36 m · 3 sec · East Chicago Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Braidwood and Elgin.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
North Washington Street
Merge slight right
29.9 mi · 00h 35m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Braidwood and Sunny near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Braidwood to Elgin?
The road trip is about 71.7 miles (115.4 km) and usually takes 01h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bolingbrook is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.3 miles from Braidwood and 37.4 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 53.5 miles (86.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.54 one way or $19.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Braidwood and Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Bolingbrook
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bolingbrook.
Naperville
Joliet Transportation Center
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Braidwood and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 53.48 mi (86.06 km).
#1 Braidwood
City in Will County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 6,148 |
| Coordinates | 41.2650300, -88.2122800 |
| Altitude | 176 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elgin
The second most populous city in Kane County, Illinois.
| Population | 110,196 |
| Coordinates | 42.0372500, -88.2811900 |
| Altitude | 227 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Chicago Street (-88.281194, 42.037244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 115 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.54 | $19.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.76 | $21.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.77 | $23.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $13.42 | $26.84 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.