How far is Elgin, IL from Chatham, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Chatham, IL is about 48 miles (77.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40 miles (64.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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 10m.
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 United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Chatham.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Chatham.
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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
6.7 mi · 11 min · Lake Street
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6
Continue on West Lake Street
5.1 mi · 8 min · West Lake Street
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7
Take the ramp left toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago
17.5 mi · 24 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
616 ft · 15 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
1203 ft · 29 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
6.8 mi · 9 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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12
Take the exit slight right toward 83rd Street
991 ft · 28 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on 83rd Street
938 ft · 23 sec
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14
Turn straight onto South Lafayette Avenue
117 m · 10 sec · South Lafayette Avenue
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15
Turn left onto West 83rd Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West 83rd Street
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16
Turn right onto South Rhodes Avenue
669 ft · 31 sec · South Rhodes Avenue
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17
Turn right onto East 84th Street
66 m · 15 sec · East 84th Street
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18
Turn left
96 m · 23 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Chatham.
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 290 East
Take the ramp left toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago
17.5 mi · 00h 24m
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 Mostly Clear near Chatham.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Chatham?
The road trip is about 48 miles (77.2 km) and usually takes 01h 10m 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?
Hillside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.9 miles from Elgin and 24 miles from Chatham.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40 miles (64.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:08 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.71 one way or $15.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elgin and Mostly Clear near Chatham.
Stop Ideas Near Hillside
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 Hillside.
La Grange Road
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Chatham. Straight-line distance: 40.02 mi (64.4 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 Chatham
Chatham is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.7411500, -87.6125500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chatham (-87.61255, 41.74115)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 77 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.56 | $7.71 | $15.42 |
| Mid-grade | $5.19 | $8.77 | $17.53 |
| Premium | $5.75 | $9.72 | $19.43 |
| Diesel | $6.56 | $11.09 | $22.18 |
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 · Nov 07, 2026