How far is Elgin, IL from Murphysboro, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Murphysboro, IL is about 359.6 miles (578.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 300.4 miles (483.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 58m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Murphysboro.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Murphysboro.
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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
8.5 mi · 11 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
1162 ft · 28 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
2529 ft · 1 min
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18
Turn straight onto Cicero Avenue
4.9 mi · 8 min · Cicero Avenue
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19
Turn left onto 167th Street
855 ft · 26 sec · 167th Street
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20
Take the ramp slight right toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
3048 ft · 1 min
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21
Merge slight left
188.4 mi · 3 hr 24 min
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22
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
65.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
32.7 mi · 35 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Johnston City, Herrin
1506 ft · 39 sec
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25
Turn right onto Herrin Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Herrin Road
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26
Continue on East Herrin Street
3.1 mi · 5 min · East Herrin Street
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27
Continue on Herrin Road
3.5 mi · 5 min · Herrin Road
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cambria Road
11 m · 1 sec · Cambria Road
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29
Exit the roundabout onto Cambria Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Cambria Road
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30
Turn left onto Russell Street
11.3 mi · 16 min · Russell Street
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31
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
1.4 km · 1 min · North 2nd Street
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32
Turn right onto Walnut Street
2911 ft · 1 min · Walnut Street
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33
Turn right onto North 11th Street
20 m · 3 sec · North 11th Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Murphysboro.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 South
Merge slight left
188 mi · 03h 24m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely leaving Elgin and Sunny near Murphysboro.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Murphysboro?
The road trip is about 359.6 miles (578.8 km) and usually takes 06h 58m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tuscola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 179.9 miles from Elgin and 179.8 miles from Murphysboro.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 300.4 miles (483.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.2 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.85 one way or $95.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 112.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely around Elgin and Sunny near Murphysboro.
Stop Ideas Near Tuscola
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 Tuscola.
Illinois Terminal
Mattoon station
Rantoul
Danville, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Murphysboro. Straight-line distance: 300.45 mi (483.53 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 Murphysboro
Town in Illinois
| Population | 7,384 |
| Coordinates | 37.7645000, -89.3350900 |
| Altitude | 128 |
| Country | United States |
End: Murphysboro (-89.33509, 37.7645)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 579 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $47.85 | $95.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $53.97 | $107.94 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $59.06 | $118.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $67.31 | $134.62 |
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.