How far is Dixon, IL from Elgin, IL?

The driving distance from Dixon, IL to Elgin, IL is about 76.3 miles (122.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 63.1 miles (101.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 52m 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
76.32 mi
01h 26m
Flight
63.09 mi
101.54 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dixon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
63.09 mi
Kilometers
101.54 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
76.32 mi
Kilometers
122.83 km
Drive Time
01h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elgin
Wed, Apr 22, 11:14 PM CDT
Return by in Dixon
Thu, Apr 23, 12:40 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dixon
2026-04-22T21:48
Arrive Elgin
Wed, Apr 22, 11:14 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Dixon
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
Malta
IL

Village in Illinois, US

From Dixon
37.2 mi
00h 43m
To Elgin
39.1 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SE
Destination
73°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Dixon and Elgin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dixon and Elgin.

  1. 1

    Start on East 6th Street

    86 m · 18 sec · East 6th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Galena Avenue

    1.3 mi · 3 min · South Galena Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left

    1065 ft · 26 sec

  4. 4

    Keep slight left

    1.1 km · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

    39.7 mi · 43 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward DeKalb, Sycamore

    1739 ft · 49 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    50 m · 6 sec

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto Peace Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Peace Road

  9. 9

    Turn right onto East Lincoln Highway

    16.6 mi · 23 min · East Lincoln Highway

  10. 10

    Turn left onto LaFox Road

    2.3 mi · 4 min · LaFox Road

  11. 11

    Continue on Burlington Road

    1513 ft · 31 sec · Burlington Road

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Bolcum Road

    7 m · 1 sec · Bolcum Road

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto Bolcum Road

    3.2 mi · 5 min · Bolcum Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Randall Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · Randall Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Silver Glen Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Silver Glen Road

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn left

    6.1 mi · 11 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Chicago Street

    1719 ft · 55 sec · East Chicago Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Dixon and Elgin.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
18 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
39.7 mi · 52%
East Lincoln Highway
16.6 mi · 22%
Bolcum Road
3.24 mi · 4%
LaFox Road
2.33 mi · 3%
South Galena Avenue
1.99 mi · 3%
Peace Road
1.61 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

39.7 mi · 00h 43m

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
01h 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.2 mi
63.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Malta
00h 43m from Dixon
Leave By
3:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Dixon and Sunny near Elgin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Dixon to Elgin?

The road trip is about 76.3 miles (122.8 km) and usually takes 01h 26m 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?

Malta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.2 miles from Dixon and 39.1 miles from Elgin.

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

The direct path is about 63.1 miles (101.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.2 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 3:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.14 one way or $20.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dixon and Sunny near Elgin.

Stop Ideas Near Malta

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Malta, 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 Malta.

BUS

Rockford, Illinois

39 mi away
7559 Walton St.
RAIL

Plano

40 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Mendota station

47 mi away
783 Main Street
RAIL

Naperville

62 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dixon and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 63.09 mi (101.54 km).

Dixon

#1 Dixon

City and county seat of Lee County, Illinois, United States

Population14,927
Coordinates41.8389200, -89.4795500
Altitude208
CountryUnited States
Elgin

#2 Elgin

The second most populous city in Kane County, Illinois.

Population110,196
Coordinates42.0372500, -88.2811900
Altitude227
CountryUnited States
Start: East 6th Street (-89.479645, 41.839136)
End: East Chicago Street (-88.281194, 42.037244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 123 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.69 gal
10.19 L · about $10.14
Round trip
$20.29
5.38 gal · 20.38 L
Estimated CO2
23.9 kg one way
Round trip: 47.8 kg / 105 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.14 $20.29
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.44 $22.88
Premium $4.65 $12.52 $25.04
Diesel $5.30 $14.27 $28.54

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

There is no time difference between Dixon and Elgin. The current time is 21:48:40.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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