How far is Elgin, IL from Colfax, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Colfax, IL is about 127.9 miles (205.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 103.1 miles (165.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 32m 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 02h 46m.
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.
Town in Will County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Colfax.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Colfax.
-
1
Start on East Chicago Street
10 m · 5 sec · East Chicago Street
-
2
Turn right onto Villa Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · Villa Street
-
3
Merge slight right onto Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
1583 ft · 29 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
-
4
Continue on West Lake Street
5.2 mi · 7 min · West Lake Street
-
5
Continue on Lake Street
6.5 mi · 10 min · Lake Street
-
6
Take the ramp right toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
1589 ft · 39 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
18.2 mi · 23 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
1453 ft · 36 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Joliet Road South
1965 ft · 48 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
706 ft · 17 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
68 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
1740 ft · 30 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
34 m · 3 sec
-
14
Turn left onto North 1500 East Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · North 1500 East Road
-
15
Turn right onto Old Route 66
2126 ft · 42 sec · Old Route 66
-
16
Continue straight
2696 ft · 58 sec
-
17
Turn left onto West Reynolds Street
1.2 km · 1 min · West Reynolds Street
-
18
Turn right onto South Mill Street
2641 ft · 58 sec · South Mill Street
-
19
Turn left onto West Torrance Avenue
1644 ft · 34 sec · West Torrance Avenue
-
20
Turn right onto South Manlove Street
1352 ft · 27 sec · South Manlove Street
-
21
Continue on North 1600 East Road
7.3 mi · 10 min · North 1600 East Road
-
22
Continue on North 3360 East Road
6.1 mi · 11 min · North 3360 East Road
-
23
Continue on East 2600 North Road
1332 ft · 27 sec · East 2600 North Road
-
24
Continue on North 3400 East Road
6.7 mi · 12 min · North 3400 East Road
-
25
Continue on North Harrison Street
2290 ft · 1 min · North Harrison Street
-
26
Turn right onto East Main Street
999 ft · 44 sec · East Main Street
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Colfax.
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
68 mi · 01h 16m
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.
Sunny leaving Elgin and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Colfax.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Colfax?
The road trip is about 127.9 miles (205.9 km) and usually takes 02h 46m 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?
Wilmington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64 miles from Elgin and 64 miles from Colfax.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 103.1 miles (165.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.8 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.01 one way or $34.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elgin and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny near Colfax.
Stop Ideas Near Wilmington
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 Wilmington.
Joliet Transportation Center
Kankakee
Dwight station
Homewood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Colfax. Straight-line distance: 103.07 mi (165.87 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 Colfax
Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,009 |
| Coordinates | 40.5669800, -88.6164500 |
| Altitude | 230 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colfax (-88.61645, 40.56698)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 206 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.01 | $34.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.18 | $38.36 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.99 | $41.98 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.92 | $47.84 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.