How far is Elgin, IL from Ford Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Ford Heights, IL is about 60.3 miles (97.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 51.1 miles (82.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 50m 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 25m.
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
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Ford Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Ford Heights.
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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
3.1 mi · 4 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1648 ft · 40 sec
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9
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
42 m · 2 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Continue on Mile-Long Bridge
1.5 km · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge
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15
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
15.1 mi · 19 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
5.5 mi · 7 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, IL 394 South: Chicago, Danville
1687 ft · 41 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on IL 394 South: Danville
3040 ft · 1 min
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19
Merge slight left onto Calumet Expressway
4.2 mi · 6 min · Calumet Expressway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West: Lincoln Highway
2415 ft · 59 sec
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21
Turn straight onto Lincoln Highway
2744 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Highway
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Ford Heights.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
15.1 mi · 00h 19m
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 Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Ford Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Ford Heights?
The road trip is about 60.3 miles (97.1 km) and usually takes 01h 25m 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?
Indian Head Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.1 miles from Elgin and 30.2 miles from Ford Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 51.1 miles (82.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.2 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 3:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.03 one way or $16.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elgin and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near Ford Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Indian Head Park
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 Indian Head Park.
La Grange Road
Summit
Naperville
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Ford Heights. Straight-line distance: 51.06 mi (82.18 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 Ford Heights
Village in United States of America
| Population | 2,647 |
| Coordinates | 41.5064200, -87.5917100 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ford Heights (-87.59171, 41.50642)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 97 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $8.03 | $16.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $9.06 | $18.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.91 | $19.83 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $11.30 | $22.60 |
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.