How far is Elgin, IL from North Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to North Chicago, IL is about 46 miles (74 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.1 miles (48.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 04m 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 02m.
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.
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
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 North Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and North Chicago.
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1
Start on East Chicago Street
10 m · 8 sec · East Chicago Street
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2
Turn left onto Center Street
846 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
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3
Continue on Dundee Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Dundee Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Page Avenue
612 ft · 18 sec · Page Avenue
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5
Turn straight onto North Liberty Street
905 ft · 20 sec · North Liberty Street
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6
Continue on Dundee Avenue
2862 ft · 50 sec · Dundee Avenue
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 Toll West, I 90 Toll East: Rockford, Chicago
765 ft · 19 sec
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8
Continue on I 90 West, I 90 East: Rockford, Chicago
148 m · 12 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 Toll East: Chicago
2012 ft · 49 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
10.7 mi · 11 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
2618 ft · 1 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on IL 53 North: Northwest Suburbs
1584 ft · 19 sec
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13
Continue on IL 53 North: Northwest Suburbs
1066 ft · 18 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on IL 53 North: Northwest Suburbs
1781 ft · 51 sec
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15
Merge slight left
4.1 mi · 5 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward East Palatine Road
2489 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Palatine Road
6 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road
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18
Continue on Willow Road
1.3 km · 2 min · Willow Road
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19
Turn sharp left onto I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
117 m · 11 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 North: Wisconsin
2066 ft · 50 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
14.7 mi · 17 min · Tri-State Tollway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward IL 137: Buckley Road
1522 ft · 39 sec
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23
Turn straight onto Buckley Road
2.9 mi · 5 min · Buckley Road
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24
Turn left onto Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
1.4 km · 60 sec · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
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25
Continue on Sheridan Road
2526 ft · 39 sec · Sheridan Road
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26
Turn left onto Broadway
654 ft · 24 sec · Broadway
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27
Turn right onto Park Avenue
63 m · 10 sec · Park Avenue
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28
Turn right onto Fellows Place
14 m · 2 sec · Fellows Place
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fellows Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and North Chicago.
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
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
14.7 mi · 00h 17m
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 Mostly Sunny near North Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to North Chicago?
The road trip is about 46 miles (74 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?
Prospect Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23 miles from Elgin and 23 miles from North Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.1 miles (48.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.9 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 4:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.11 one way or $12.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elgin and Mostly Sunny near North Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Prospect Heights
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 Prospect Heights.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and North Chicago. Straight-line distance: 30.07 mi (48.4 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 North Chicago
City and suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA
| Population | 29,639 |
| Coordinates | 42.3255800, -87.8411800 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Chicago (-87.84118, 42.32558)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 74 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.11 | $12.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.89 | $13.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.54 | $15.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.59 | $17.18 |
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.