How far is Chicago, IL from Elsah, IL?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Elsah, IL is about 295.5 miles (475.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 245.6 miles (395.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 05h 45m.
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.
Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Elsah.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Elsah.
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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
128.7 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 72 West, US 36 West: Jacksonville
37.2 mi · 40 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 67 South: Alton
1828 ft · 45 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto United States Route 67
12.3 mi · 14 min · United States Route 67
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16
Continue on 1440 E
2.3 mi · 3 min · 1440 E
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17
Continue on North State Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · North State Street
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18
Continue on South State Avenue
2.4 mi · 3 min · South State Avenue
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19
Continue on North Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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20
Continue on United States Route 67
8.1 mi · 9 min · United States Route 67
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21
Continue on North 5th Street
14.5 mi · 17 min · North 5th Street
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22
Turn right onto McClusky Road
8.2 mi · 14 min · McClusky Road
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23
Turn right
3.1 mi · 6 min
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24
Turn left onto Elsah Road
2.8 mi · 7 min · Elsah Road
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25
Continue on Mill Street
2003 ft · 55 sec · Mill Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mill Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago and Elsah.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Continue on Adlai Stevenson Expressway
129 mi · 02h 26m
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 Sunny near Elsah.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Elsah?
The road trip is about 295.5 miles (475.5 km) and usually takes 05h 45m 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?
McLean is a useful midpoint, sitting about 147.7 miles from Chicago and 147.8 miles from Elsah.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 245.6 miles (395.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.9 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:30 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.05 one way or $96.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chicago and Sunny near Elsah.
Stop Ideas Near McLean
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
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to McLean.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Peoria, Illinois
Springfield station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Elsah. Straight-line distance: 245.54 mi (395.16 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 Elsah
Township in Jersey County, Illinois
| Population | 604 |
| Coordinates | 38.9561600, -90.3598400 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elsah (-90.35984, 38.95616)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 476 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.61 | $48.05 | $96.10 |
| Mid-grade | $5.24 | $54.65 | $109.31 |
| Premium | $5.79 | $60.43 | $120.86 |
| Diesel | $6.59 | $68.75 | $137.51 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026