How far is Cambridge, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Cambridge, IL to Elgin, IL is about 153 miles (246.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 110.9 miles (178.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 10m 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 02h 35m.
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.
City and county seat of Lee County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cambridge and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge and Elgin.
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1
Start on North Prospect Street
764 ft · 36 sec · North Prospect Street
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2
Turn right onto West Court Street
1648 ft · 30 sec · West Court Street
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3
Turn right onto South West Street
140 m · 13 sec · South West Street
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4
Turn left onto West Center Street
1597 ft · 27 sec · West Center Street
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5
Continue on IL 81
3.9 mi · 6 min · IL 81
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6
Continue on IL 81
3.2 mi · 5 min · IL 81
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7
Take the ramp right toward I 74 West: Moline, Rock Island
1558 ft · 38 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
9.8 mi · 11 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
94.2 mi · 1 hr 41 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward DeKalb, Sycamore
1739 ft · 49 sec
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12
Keep slight right
50 m · 6 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Peace Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Peace Road
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14
Turn right onto East Lincoln Highway
16.6 mi · 23 min · East Lincoln Highway
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15
Turn left onto LaFox Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · LaFox Road
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16
Continue on Burlington Road
1513 ft · 31 sec · Burlington Road
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Bolcum Road
7 m · 1 sec · Bolcum Road
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Bolcum Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Bolcum Road
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19
Turn left onto Randall Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Randall Road
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20
Turn right onto Silver Glen Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Silver Glen Road
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21
At the end of the road, turn left
6.1 mi · 11 min
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22
Turn right onto East Chicago Street
1719 ft · 55 sec · East Chicago Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cambridge and Elgin.
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 88 East
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
94.2 mi · 01h 41m
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 Cambridge and Mostly Sunny near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cambridge to Elgin?
The road trip is about 153 miles (246.2 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?
Dixon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.5 miles from Cambridge and 77.5 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 110.9 miles (178.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.36 one way or $40.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cambridge and Mostly Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Dixon
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 Dixon.
Mendota station
Princeton
Rockford, Illinois
Kewanee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cambridge and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 110.92 mi (178.51 km).
#1 Cambridge
Village in Henry County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,051 |
| Coordinates | 41.3036500, -90.1929000 |
| Altitude | 247 |
| 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: 246 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.36 | $40.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.97 | $45.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.13 | $50.26 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.64 | $57.28 |
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.