How far is Elgin, IL from Pontiac, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Pontiac, IL is about 105.7 miles (170.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81.9 miles (131.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 20m 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 02h 10m.
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.
Village in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Pontiac.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Pontiac.
-
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
6.5 mi · 10 min · Lake Street
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6
Take the ramp right toward I 355 Toll South: Joliet
1589 ft · 39 sec
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7
Merge slight left
18.2 mi · 23 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
1453 ft · 36 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Joliet Road South
1965 ft · 48 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
706 ft · 17 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
68 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
1740 ft · 30 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
34 m · 3 sec
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14
Turn left onto North 1500 East Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · North 1500 East Road
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15
Turn right onto Old Route 66
2126 ft · 48 sec · Old Route 66
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16
Turn left onto West Howard Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West Howard Street
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17
Turn right onto North Main Street
95 m · 8 sec · North Main Street
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18
Turn right onto West Madison Street
92 m · 15 sec · West Madison Street
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19
Turn right onto North Mill Street
62 m · 4 sec · North Mill Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Mill Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Pontiac.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
68 mi · 01h 16m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Elgin and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers near Pontiac.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Pontiac?
The road trip is about 105.7 miles (170.1 km) and usually takes 02h 10m 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?
Shorewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.8 miles from Elgin and 52.9 miles from Pontiac.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81.9 miles (131.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.8 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 2:10 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.51 one way or $35.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Elgin and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers near Pontiac.
Stop Ideas Near Shorewood
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 Shorewood.
Joliet Transportation Center
Naperville
Plano
La Grange Road
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Pontiac. Straight-line distance: 81.91 mi (131.82 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 Pontiac
Pontiac is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 40.8808700, -88.6297800 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pontiac (-88.62978, 40.88087)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 170 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.69 | $17.51 | $35.02 |
| Mid-grade | $5.33 | $19.88 | $39.76 |
| Premium | $5.88 | $21.91 | $43.83 |
| Diesel | $6.58 | $24.54 | $49.07 |
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 · Oct 16, 2026