How far is Chicago, IL from Elmwood, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Elmwood, IL is about 185.2 miles (298 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.2 miles (227.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 23m 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 03h 41m.
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.
City in LaSalle 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 Chicago and Elmwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Elmwood.
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1
Start on the route
943 ft · 1 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
947 ft · 26 sec · West Cermak Road
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3
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 17 sec · South Halsted Street
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4
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
87 m · 6 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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5
Turn slight right
34 m · 5 sec
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East, I 94 East
139 m · 11 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 55: Saint Louis, Lake Shore Drive
1820 ft · 44 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: St Louis
2604 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Stevenson Expressway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Stevenson Expressway
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10
Continue on Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
1739 ft · 27 sec · Adlai E Stevenson Expressway
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11
Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway
35.2 mi · 45 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 West: Iowa
1.3 km · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
64.2 mi · 1 hr 9 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 180 South: Hennepin
1 mi · 2 min
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15
Continue straight
8.7 mi · 9 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Peoria
2.1 mi · 2 min
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17
Continue straight
32.6 mi · 39 min
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18
Continue on North Galena Road
615 ft · 15 sec · North Galena Road
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19
Turn right
546 ft · 9 sec
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20
Take the exit straight
1 mi · 2 min
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21
Continue straight
8.6 mi · 10 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward I 74 West: Galesburg
3216 ft · 55 sec
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23
Merge slight left
15 mi · 16 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Canton, Kewanee
1681 ft · 46 sec
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25
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Bell School Road
3174 ft · 57 sec · North Bell School Road
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26
Turn right onto West Tucker Road
2 mi · 3 min · West Tucker Road
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27
Turn left
4.5 mi · 7 min
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28
Turn right onto West Main Street
30 m · 3 sec · West Main Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Elmwood.
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 80 West
Merge slight left
64.2 mi · 01h 09m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Elmwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Elmwood?
The road trip is about 185.2 miles (298 km) and usually takes 03h 41m 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?
La Salle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.5 miles from Chicago and 92.6 miles from Elmwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.2 miles (227.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 44 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 9:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.62 one way or $49.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Elmwood.
Stop Ideas Near La Salle
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 La Salle.
Mendota station
Princeton
Plano
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Elmwood. Straight-line distance: 141.2 mi (227.24 km).
#1 Chicago
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,677,643 |
| Coordinates | 41.850033, -87.6500523 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elmwood
City in Peoria County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,995 |
| Coordinates | 40.7778200, -89.9665000 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elmwood (-89.9665, 40.77782)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 298 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.62 | $49.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.77 | $55.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.39 | $60.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.64 | $69.27 |
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.