How far is Crystal Lake, IL from Elmhurst, IL?

The driving distance from Crystal Lake, IL to Elmhurst, IL is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 30.4 miles (49 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
35.78 mi
00h 54m
Flight
30.48 mi
49.05 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Crystal Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
30.48 mi
Kilometers
49.05 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.78 mi
Kilometers
57.58 km
Drive Time
00h 54m

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 00h 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elmhurst
Thu, Oct 15, 1:23 PM CDT
Return by in Crystal Lake
Thu, Oct 15, 2:18 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Crystal Lake
2026-10-15T12:29
Arrive Elmhurst
Thu, Oct 15, 1:23 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:54 AM to 10:54 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:42 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Crystal Lake
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
South Barrington
IL

Village in United States of America

From Crystal Lake
18.5 mi
00h 27m
To Elmhurst
17.3 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Today

Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 11:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph ESE
Destination
62°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Crystal Lake and Elmhurst.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Crystal Lake and Elmhurst.

  1. 1

    Start on East Crystal Lake Avenue

    8 m · 5 sec · East Crystal Lake Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · South Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Pyott Road

    3 mi · 5 min · Pyott Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Algonquin Road

    7.8 mi · 13 min · West Algonquin Road

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto Dundee Road

    1483 ft · 30 sec · Dundee Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Algonquin Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Algonquin Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North Barrington Road

    2.1 mi · 4 min · North Barrington Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp left

    2915 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

    4.5 mi · 5 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs

    2618 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs

    1686 ft · 41 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs

    1362 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    5.7 mi · 7 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East: Chicago

    6.6 mi · 9 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward York Road

    1504 ft · 46 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto North York Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · North York Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West 2nd Street

    102 m · 9 sec · West 2nd Street

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on West 2nd Street

    39 m · 9 sec · West 2nd Street

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Addison Avenue

    808 ft · 29 sec · North Addison Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Cottage Hill Avenue

    70 m · 13 sec · Cottage Hill Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto West Park Avenue

    622 ft · 26 sec · West Park Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn sharp left

    20 m · 5 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Crystal Lake and Elmhurst.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
23 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
64.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 290 East
12.9 mi · 36%
West Algonquin Road
7.78 mi · 22%
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
4.53 mi · 13%
Pyott Road
3 mi · 8%
North Barrington Road
2.69 mi · 8%
Algonquin Road
2.25 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

West Algonquin Road

Turn left onto West Algonquin Road

7.78 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.4 mi
30.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
South Barrington
00h 27m from Crystal Lake
Leave By
4:42 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Crystal Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms near Elmhurst.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Crystal Lake to Elmhurst?

The road trip is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?

South Barrington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.5 miles from Crystal Lake and 17.3 miles from Elmhurst.

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

The direct path is about 30.4 miles (49 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 4:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.88 one way or $11.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Crystal Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms near Elmhurst.

Stop Ideas Near South Barrington

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around South Barrington, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South Barrington.

RAIL

Glenview station

26 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Naperville

35 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

La Grange Road

37 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

42 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Crystal Lake and Elmhurst. Straight-line distance: 30.48 mi (49.05 km).

Crystal Lake

#1 Crystal Lake

City located in McHenry County, Illinois, USA

Population39,642
Coordinates42.2411300, -88.3162000
Altitude279
CountryUnited States
Elmhurst

#2 Elmhurst

A city in DuPage County, Illinois.

Population46,532
Coordinates41.8994700, -87.9403400
Altitude209
CountryUnited States
Start: East Crystal Lake Avenue (-88.316198, 42.241185)
End: (-87.940349, 41.899457)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 58 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.26 gal
4.78 L · about $5.88
Round trip
$11.76
2.52 gal · 9.56 L
Estimated CO2
11.2 kg one way
Round trip: 22.4 kg / 49 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.67 $5.88 $11.76
Mid-grade $5.29 $6.67 $13.34
Premium $5.84 $7.35 $14.71
Diesel $6.57 $8.28 $16.56

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Crystal Lake and Elmhurst. The current time is 12:29:38.

Distance to Other Cities

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