How far is Elgin, IL from Knox, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Knox, IL is about 175.5 miles (282.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.4 miles (205.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 01m 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 30m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Knox.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Knox.
-
1
Start on East Chicago Street
10 m · 5 sec · East Chicago Street
-
2
Turn right onto Villa Street
2959 ft · 58 sec · Villa Street
-
3
Turn right onto East National Street
2840 ft · 1 min · East National Street
-
4
Turn left onto South State Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South State Street
-
5
Continue on North La Fox Street
4.3 mi · 7 min · North La Fox Street
-
6
Turn right onto Silver Glen Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Silver Glen Road
-
7
Turn left onto Randall Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Randall Road
-
8
Turn right onto Bolcum Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Bolcum Road
-
9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Burlington Road
54 m · 4 sec · Burlington Road
-
10
Exit the roundabout onto Burlington Road
1532 ft · 33 sec · Burlington Road
-
11
Continue on LaFox Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · LaFox Road
-
12
Turn right onto Lincoln Highway
16.6 mi · 23 min · Lincoln Highway
-
13
Turn left onto Peace Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Peace Road
-
14
Take the ramp left toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
1570 ft · 38 sec
-
15
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
49.7 mi · 53 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
16
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
-
17
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
37.8 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
-
18
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5.4 mi · 6 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward I 80: Peoria
7.1 mi · 8 min
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
39.4 mi · 42 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward US 150, IL 97: Lewistown
1112 ft · 27 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on US 150 East: Brimfield
32 m · 3 sec
-
23
Turn straight onto US 150 / IL 97
1302 ft · 20 sec · US 150 / IL 97
-
24
Continue on Knox Road 1020 East
1.4 mi · 5 min · Knox Road 1020 East
-
25
Turn left onto Mine Road
2682 ft · 2 min · Mine Road
-
26
Turn right onto Knox Station Road
45 m · 7 sec · Knox Station Road
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Knox Station Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Knox.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
49.7 mi · 00h 53m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely leaving Elgin and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Knox.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Knox?
The road trip is about 175.5 miles (282.5 km) and usually takes 03h 30m 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?
Rock Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.7 miles from Elgin and 87.9 miles from Knox.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.4 miles (205.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.1 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 9:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.34 one way or $46.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely around Elgin and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Knox.
Stop Ideas Near Rock Falls
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 Rock Falls.
Princeton
Mendota station
Kewanee
Moline, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Knox. Straight-line distance: 127.45 mi (205.11 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 Knox
County seat of Knox County, Tennessee, United States; third-largest city in Tennessee
| Population | 2,692 |
| Coordinates | 40.9342000, -90.2548500 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: Knox (-90.25485, 40.9342)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 283 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.34 | $46.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.33 | $52.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.81 | $57.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.83 | $65.66 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.