How far is Elgin, IL from Knoxville, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Knoxville, IL is about 171.9 miles (276.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 129.8 miles (208.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 46m 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 23m.
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.
City in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Knoxville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Knoxville.
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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
2959 ft · 58 sec · Villa Street
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3
Turn right onto East National Street
2840 ft · 1 min · East National Street
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4
Turn left onto South State Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South State Street
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5
Continue on North La Fox Street
4.3 mi · 7 min · North La Fox Street
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6
Turn right onto Silver Glen Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Silver Glen Road
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7
Turn left onto Randall Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Randall Road
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8
Turn right onto Bolcum Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Bolcum Road
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Burlington Road
54 m · 4 sec · Burlington Road
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10
Exit the roundabout onto Burlington Road
1532 ft · 33 sec · Burlington Road
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11
Continue on LaFox Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · LaFox Road
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12
Turn right onto Lincoln Highway
16.6 mi · 23 min · Lincoln Highway
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13
Turn left onto Peace Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Peace Road
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14
Take the ramp left toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
1570 ft · 38 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
49.7 mi · 53 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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16
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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17
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
37.8 mi · 40 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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18
Continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
5.4 mi · 6 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 80: Peoria
7.1 mi · 8 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
36.7 mi · 39 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Knoxville
1768 ft · 44 sec
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22
Turn right onto Knox Highway 9
110 m · 10 sec · Knox Highway 9
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23
Continue on Henderson Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Henderson Road
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24
Continue on North Division Street
113 m · 13 sec · North Division Street
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25
Turn left onto West Main Street
1219 ft · 26 sec · West Main Street
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26
Turn left onto North Market Street
39 m · 6 sec · North Market Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Market Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Knoxville.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Elgin and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Knoxville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Knoxville?
The road trip is about 171.9 miles (276.7 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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 85.9 miles from Elgin and 86.1 miles from Knoxville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 129.8 miles (208.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.1 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 10:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.89 one way or $45.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Elgin and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Knoxville.
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 Knoxville. Straight-line distance: 129.77 mi (208.85 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 Knoxville
City in Knox County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,692 |
| Coordinates | 40.9083700, -90.2848500 |
| Altitude | 238 |
| Country | United States |
End: Knoxville (-90.28485, 40.90837)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.89 | $45.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.82 | $51.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.25 | $56.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.20 | $64.39 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.