How far is Elgin, IL from Forest Park, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Forest Park, IL is about 29.1 miles (46.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.4 miles (42.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 44m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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, U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Forest Park.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Forest Park.
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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
8.6 mi · 12 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Des Plaines Avenue
1137 ft · 31 sec
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9
Turn left onto Des Plaines Avenue
2741 ft · 2 min · Des Plaines Avenue
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10
Turn right onto Madison Street
13 m · 1 sec · Madison Street
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Madison Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Forest Park.
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.
I 290 East
Take the ramp left toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago
8.64 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Elgin and Mostly Sunny near Forest Park.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Forest Park?
The road trip is about 29.1 miles (46.9 km) and usually takes 00h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Itasca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.5 miles from Elgin and 14.6 miles from Forest Park.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.4 miles (42.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.88 one way or $7.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elgin and Mostly Sunny near Forest Park.
Stop Ideas Near Itasca
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 Itasca.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Forest Park. Straight-line distance: 26.38 mi (42.45 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 Forest Park
Village in Illinois
| Population | 13,534 |
| Coordinates | 41.8794800, -87.8136700 |
| Altitude | 190 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest Park (-87.81367, 41.87948)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 47 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.88 | $7.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.38 | $8.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.79 | $9.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.46 | $10.93 |
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.