How far is Elgin, IL from Empire, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Empire, IL is about 156.4 miles (251.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.7 miles (195.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m 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 03h 13m.
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.
Village in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Empire.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Empire.
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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
97.5 mi · 1 hr 48 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Towanda
1442 ft · 27 sec
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13
Turn straight onto North 1900 East Road
2035 ft · 44 sec · North 1900 East Road
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14
Continue on North Jefferson Street
2706 ft · 1 min · North Jefferson Street
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Hely Street
1225 ft · 35 sec · West Hely Street
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16
Continue on Towanda-Barnes Road
3 mi · 5 min · Towanda-Barnes Road
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17
Continue on North Towanda Barnes Road
6.8 mi · 11 min · North Towanda Barnes Road
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18
Turn left
2 mi · 3 min
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19
Turn right onto North Seminary Street
3190 ft · 1 min · North Seminary Street
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20
Continue on East 700 North Road
1886 ft · 44 sec · East 700 North Road
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21
Turn left onto I 74 East: Champaign
1420 ft · 35 sec
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22
Merge slight left
9 mi · 10 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward US 136: Rantoul, Heyworth
1508 ft · 31 sec
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24
Turn left onto East 200 North Road
2295 ft · 37 sec · East 200 North Road
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25
Turn right onto East 150 North Road
1.1 mi · 4 min · East 150 North Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 150 North Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Empire.
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
97.5 mi · 01h 48m
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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Elgin and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Empire.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Empire?
The road trip is about 156.4 miles (251.7 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Gardner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.2 miles from Elgin and 78.2 miles from Empire.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.7 miles (195.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.7 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 10:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.82 one way or $41.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Elgin and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Empire.
Stop Ideas Near Gardner
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 Gardner.
Dwight station
Kankakee
Joliet Transportation Center
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Empire. Straight-line distance: 121.68 mi (195.83 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 Empire
Township in McLean County, Illinois
| Population | 4,024 |
| Coordinates | 40.3055900, -88.7075700 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| Country | United States |
End: Empire (-88.70757, 40.30559)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 252 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.82 | $41.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.48 | $46.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.69 | $51.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.28 | $58.56 |
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.