How far is Elgin, IL from Alton, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Alton, IL is about 293 miles (471.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 239.3 miles (385.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 19m 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 05h 39m.
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 Henry County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Alton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Alton.
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1
Start on East Chicago Street
10 m · 5 sec · East Chicago Street
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2
Turn right onto Villa Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · Villa Street
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3
Merge slight right onto Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
1583 ft · 29 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
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4
Continue on West Lake Street
5.2 mi · 7 min · West Lake Street
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5
Continue on Lake Street
6.5 mi · 10 min · Lake Street
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6
Take the ramp right toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
1589 ft · 39 sec
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7
Merge slight left
18.2 mi · 23 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
1453 ft · 36 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Joliet Road South
1965 ft · 48 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
706 ft · 17 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
111.5 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
62.6 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 140: Alton, Greenville
1756 ft · 43 sec
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15
Turn right onto East State Street
1 km · 1 min · East State Street
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16
Continue on State Route 140
9.6 mi · 13 min · State Route 140
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17
Continue on East Bethalto Drive
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Bethalto Drive
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18
Continue on East MacArthur Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · East MacArthur Drive
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19
Continue on West Macarthur Drive
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Macarthur Drive
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20
Continue on College Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · College Avenue
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward College Avenue
121 m · 8 sec · College Avenue
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22
Exit the roundabout onto College Avenue
1355 ft · 27 sec · College Avenue
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23
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Drive
1.5 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive
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24
Continue on Piasa Street
1877 ft · 37 sec · Piasa Street
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25
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
662 ft · 31 sec · West 3rd Street
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26
Turn right onto Alby Street
36 m · 5 sec · Alby Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Alby Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Alton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
112 mi · 02h 03m
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 Likely leaving Elgin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Alton?
The road trip is about 293 miles (471.6 km) and usually takes 05h 39m 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?
Burns is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.5 miles from Elgin and 146.5 miles from Alton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 239.3 miles (385.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.7 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 5:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.99 one way or $77.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Elgin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Alton.
Stop Ideas Near Burns
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burns.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Pontiac station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Alton. Straight-line distance: 239.31 mi (385.13 km).
#1 Elgin
The second most populous city in Kane County, Illinois.
| Population | 110,196 |
| Coordinates | 42.0372500, -88.2811900 |
| Altitude | 227 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alton
City in Madison County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 26,049 |
| Coordinates | 38.8906000, -90.1842800 |
| Altitude | 150 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alton (-90.18428, 38.8906)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 472 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.99 | $77.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.98 | $87.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.12 | $96.24 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.84 | $109.69 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.