How far is Effingham, IL from Elmhurst, IL?
The driving distance from Effingham, IL to Elmhurst, IL is about 216.4 miles (348.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 194.6 miles (313.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 03h 30m.
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.
Township in Iroquois County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Effingham and Elmhurst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Effingham and Elmhurst.
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1
Start on South 5th Street
6 m · 6 sec · South 5th Street
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2
Turn left onto West Fayette Avenue
705 ft · 21 sec · West Fayette Avenue
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3
Turn left onto South 3rd Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · South 3rd Street
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4
Take the ramp right toward I-57 North, I-70 East: Champaign, Terre Haute
2624 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 55 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185.5 mi · 3 hr 21 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
1718 ft · 33 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.4 km · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 38 West: Roosevelt Road
1521 ft · 37 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Roosevelt Road
2501 ft · 38 sec · Roosevelt Road
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13
Take the exit slight right toward North York Road
1420 ft · 44 sec
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14
Turn right onto South York Road
2460 ft · 55 sec · South York Road
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15
Continue on South York Street
2.1 mi · 4 min · South York Street
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16
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
12 m · 3 sec · West Park Avenue
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17
Turn slight right
20 m · 5 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Effingham and Elmhurst.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185 mi · 03h 21m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Effingham 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 Effingham to Elmhurst?
The road trip is about 216.4 miles (348.2 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?
Loda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108 miles from Effingham and 108.3 miles from Elmhurst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 194.6 miles (313.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.59 one way or $71.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Effingham and Showers And Thunderstorms near Elmhurst.
Stop Ideas Near Loda
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 Loda.
Rantoul
Gilman
Illinois Terminal
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Effingham and Elmhurst. Straight-line distance: 194.63 mi (313.23 km).
#1 Effingham
City in Illinois
| Population | 12,601 |
| Coordinates | 39.1200400, -88.5433800 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elmhurst
A city in DuPage County, Illinois.
| Population | 46,532 |
| Coordinates | 41.8994700, -87.9403400 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.940349, 41.899457)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 348 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $35.59 | $71.19 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $40.38 | $80.76 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $44.54 | $89.07 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $50.14 | $100.27 |
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