How far is East Moline, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from East Moline, IL to Elgin, IL is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.4 miles (189 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 20m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Lee County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between East Moline and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Moline and Elgin.
-
1
Start on 7th Street
36 m · 9 sec · 7th Street
-
2
Turn left onto 30th Avenue
1 mi · 3 min · 30th Avenue
-
3
Continue on Crosstown Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · Crosstown Avenue
-
4
Turn left onto John Deere Expressway
4.5 mi · 6 min · John Deere Expressway
-
5
Keep slight left
1799 ft · 24 sec
-
6
Continue straight
43.8 mi · 47 min
-
7
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
50.2 mi · 54 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward DeKalb, Sycamore
1739 ft · 49 sec
-
9
Keep slight right
50 m · 6 sec
-
10
Turn straight onto Peace Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Peace Road
-
11
Turn right onto East Lincoln Highway
16.6 mi · 23 min · East Lincoln Highway
-
12
Turn left onto LaFox Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · LaFox Road
-
13
Continue on Burlington Road
1513 ft · 31 sec · Burlington Road
-
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Bolcum Road
7 m · 1 sec · Bolcum Road
-
15
Exit the roundabout onto Bolcum Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Bolcum Road
-
16
Turn left onto Randall Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Randall Road
-
17
Turn right onto Silver Glen Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Silver Glen Road
-
18
At the end of the road, turn left
6.1 mi · 11 min
-
19
Turn right onto East Chicago Street
1719 ft · 55 sec · East Chicago Street
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between East Moline and Elgin.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
50.2 mi · 00h 54m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving East Moline and Sunny near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from East Moline to Elgin?
The road trip is about 135.3 miles (217.7 km) and usually takes 02h 20m 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?
Nachusa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.7 miles from East Moline and 68.7 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.4 miles (189 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.99 one way or $35.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around East Moline and Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Nachusa
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 Nachusa.
Mendota station
Princeton
Rockford, Illinois
Plano
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between East Moline and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 117.46 mi (189.04 km).
#1 East Moline
City in Rock Island County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 20,473 |
| Coordinates | 41.5008700, -90.4443000 |
| Altitude | 214 |
| 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: 218 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.99 | $35.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.29 | $40.57 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.20 | $44.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.30 | $50.60 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.