How far is Downers Grove, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Downers Grove, IL to Elgin, IL is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21 miles (33.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 41m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Township in DuPage County, Illinois
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 Downers Grove and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Downers Grove and Elgin.
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1
Start on Main Street
11 m · 31 sec · Main Street
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2
Continue on Main Street
2850 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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3
Continue on Highland Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Highland Avenue
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4
Turn slight left onto IL 56 West
1343 ft · 51 sec
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5
Turn straight onto Butterfield Road
1 km · 1 min · Butterfield Road
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6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 355 Toll North: Northwest Suburbs
1 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
7.5 mi · 9 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 20: Lake Street
2523 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn left
34 m · 4 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Lake Street
5.8 mi · 10 min · Lake Street
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11
Continue on Lake Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Lake Street
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12
Continue on West Lake Street
5.2 mi · 7 min · West Lake Street
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13
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
1279 ft · 22 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
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14
Turn slight left onto Villa Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Villa Street
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15
Turn left
95 m · 28 sec
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16
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
36 m · 3 sec · East Chicago Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Downers Grove and Elgin.
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.
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
7.46 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove to Elgin?
The road trip is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km) and usually takes 00h 41m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bloomingdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13 miles from Downers Grove and 22.8 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21 miles (33.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:06 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.75 one way or $9.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Downers Grove and Mostly Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Bloomingdale
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 Bloomingdale.
Naperville
La Grange Road
Glenview station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Downers Grove and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 21.01 mi (33.82 km).
#1 Downers Grove
Village in Downers Grove, Lisle, and York Townships, DuPage County, Illinois, US
| Population | 48,727 |
| Coordinates | 41.8089200, -88.0111700 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| 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: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.75 | $9.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.36 | $10.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.86 | $11.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.68 | $13.37 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.