How far is Elgin, IL from Channel Lake, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Channel Lake, IL is about 39.9 miles (64.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.4 miles (50.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 03m 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 01h 01m.
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.
Village in Lake County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Channel Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Channel Lake.
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1
Start on East Chicago Street
10 m · 8 sec · East Chicago Street
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2
Turn left onto Center Street
846 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
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3
Continue on Dundee Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Dundee Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Page Avenue
612 ft · 18 sec · Page Avenue
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5
Turn straight onto North Liberty Street
905 ft · 20 sec · North Liberty Street
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6
Continue on Dundee Avenue
2862 ft · 50 sec · Dundee Avenue
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 Toll West, I 90 Toll East: Rockford, Chicago
765 ft · 19 sec
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8
Continue on I 90 West, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
148 m · 12 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 Toll East: Chicago
2012 ft · 49 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 59
2334 ft · 60 sec
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12
Turn left onto New Sutton Road
3.6 mi · 6 min · New Sutton Road
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13
Continue on Dundee Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · Dundee Road
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14
Continue on New Sutton Road
1.7 mi · 2 min · New Sutton Road
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15
Continue on South Hough Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Hough Street
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16
Continue on North Hough Road
6.4 mi · 10 min · North Hough Road
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17
Take the ramp slight right
1257 ft · 35 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto North Rand Road
4.6 mi · 6 min · North Rand Road
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19
Continue straight
1.9 mi · 2 min
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20
Continue straight
2.3 mi · 3 min
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21
Turn slight right
2.7 mi · 4 min
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22
Continue on Fox Lake Road
5.9 mi · 10 min · Fox Lake Road
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23
Turn left onto West IL Route 173
1.8 mi · 3 min · West IL Route 173
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24
Turn right
23 m · 6 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Channel Lake.
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.
North Hough Road
Continue on North Hough Road
6.39 mi · 00h 10m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Elgin and Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Channel Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Channel Lake?
The road trip is about 39.9 miles (64.2 km) and usually takes 01h 01m 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?
Wauconda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.9 miles from Elgin and 19.9 miles from Channel Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.4 miles (50.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.5 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 4:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.32 one way or $10.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elgin and Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Channel Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Wauconda
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 Wauconda.
Glenview station
Naperville
La Grange Road
Sturtevant station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Channel Lake. Straight-line distance: 31.37 mi (50.48 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 Channel Lake
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,664 |
| Coordinates | 42.4786300, -88.1375900 |
| Altitude | 227 |
| Country | United States |
End: Channel Lake (-88.13759, 42.47863)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 64 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.32 | $10.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.00 | $11.99 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.56 | $13.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.48 | $14.96 |
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.