How far is Elgin, IL from Beardstown, IL?

The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Beardstown, IL is about 248.8 miles (400.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 178.7 miles (287.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
248.77 mi
05h 03m
Flight
178.74 mi
287.65 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Elgin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
178.74 mi
Kilometers
287.65 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
248.77 mi
Kilometers
400.36 km
Drive Time
05h 03m

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 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Beardstown
Sat, May 23, 6:54 PM CDT
Return by in Elgin
Sat, May 23, 11:57 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elgin
2026-05-23T13:51
Arrive Beardstown
Sat, May 23, 6:54 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:03 AM to 1:03 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:54 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Elgin
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Lexington
IL

City in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From Elgin
124.3 mi
02h 31m
To Beardstown
124.5 mi
02h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sat, May 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
82°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 23 1:00 PM CDT
Wind
5 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Chicago Street

    10 m · 5 sec · East Chicago Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Villa Street

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Villa Street

  3. 3

    Merge slight right onto Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway

    1583 ft · 29 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway

  4. 4

    Continue on West Lake Street

    5.2 mi · 7 min · West Lake Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Lake Street

    6.5 mi · 10 min · Lake Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet

    1589 ft · 39 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    18.2 mi · 23 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis

    1453 ft · 36 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Joliet Road South

    1965 ft · 48 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis

    706 ft · 17 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway

    111.5 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield

    52.4 mi · 56 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Sherman

    2842 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Sherman

    97 m · 8 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto South Sherman Boulevard

    4.6 mi · 7 min · South Sherman Boulevard

  16. 16

    Continue on Veterans Parkway

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Veterans Parkway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right

    145 m · 15 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto West Jefferson Street

    5 mi · 7 min · West Jefferson Street

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    35.6 mi · 51 min

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Beardstown Road

    2060 ft · 2 min · Beardstown Road

  21. 21

    Turn slight left onto Wall Street

    1.3 km · 3 min · Wall Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Wall Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
112 mi · 45%
I 55 South
52.8 mi · 21%
West Jefferson Street
40.6 mi · 16%
I 355 Toll South
18.5 mi · 7%
Lake Street
6.49 mi · 3%
West Lake Street
5.18 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 03m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+70.1 mi
178.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lexington
02h 31m from Elgin
Leave By
6:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Elgin and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Beardstown.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 248.8 miles (400.4 km) and usually takes 05h 03m 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?

Lexington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.3 miles from Elgin and 124.5 miles from Beardstown.

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

The direct path is about 178.7 miles (287.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 70.1 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 6:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.11 one way or $66.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Elgin and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Beardstown.

Stop Ideas Near Lexington

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lexington and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 13 mi away

City Hall - Town of Normal

Normal , IL
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761
Parking lot
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 12.7 mi away

Normal Town

Normal , IL
100 S Maple St, Normal, IL 61761
Rating 2.3/5 3 reviews Government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 12.8 mi away

El Paso City Water Works

El Paso , IL
301 W Front St, El Paso, IL 61738
Water utility company

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington.

RAIL

Uptown Station

22 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
RAIL

Pontiac station

29 mi away
721 West Washington St.
RAIL

Dwight station

58 mi away
119 West Main St.
RAIL

Rantoul

64 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Beardstown. Straight-line distance: 178.74 mi (287.65 km).

Elgin

#1 Elgin

The second most populous city in Kane County, Illinois.

Population110,196
Coordinates42.0372500, -88.2811900
Altitude227
CountryUnited States
Beardstown

#2 Beardstown

City in Illinois

Population5,335
Coordinates40.0175500, -90.4242900
Altitude138
CountryUnited States
Start: Elgin (-88.28119, 42.03725)
End: Beardstown (-90.42429, 40.01755)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 400 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.78 gal
33.23 L · about $33.11
Round trip
$66.22
17.56 gal · 66.46 L
Estimated CO2
78 kg one way
Round trip: 156.1 kg / 344 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $33.11 $66.22
Mid-grade $4.25 $37.34 $74.68
Premium $4.65 $40.86 $81.72
Diesel $5.30 $46.57 $93.14

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 · May 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Elgin and Beardstown. The current time is 13:51:01.

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.