How far is Elgin, IL from Prospect Heights, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Prospect Heights, IL is about 22.9 miles (36.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.1 miles (29.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 32m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
A city in Cook County, Illinois.
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 Prospect Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Prospect Heights.
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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
1.1 mi · 1 min · Palatine Road
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18
Turn slight right onto East Rand Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · East Rand Road
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19
Turn left onto West Camp McDonald Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West Camp McDonald Road
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Camp McDonald Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Prospect Heights.
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.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
10.7 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Elgin and Mostly Sunny near Prospect Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Prospect Heights?
The road trip is about 22.9 miles (36.8 km) and usually takes 00h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hoffman Estates is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.4 miles from Elgin and 11.4 miles from Prospect Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.1 miles (29.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.05 one way or $6.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elgin and Mostly Sunny near Prospect Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Hoffman Estates
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 Hoffman Estates.
Glenview station
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Prospect Heights. Straight-line distance: 18.08 mi (29.09 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 Prospect Heights
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 15,702 |
| Coordinates | 42.0953000, -87.9375700 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: Prospect Heights (-87.93757, 42.0953)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 37 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.05 | $6.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.44 | $6.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.77 | $7.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.30 | $8.59 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.