How far is Elgin, IL from South Chicago, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to South Chicago, IL is about 51 miles (82.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.7 miles (68.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m 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 16m.
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 United States of America
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 South Chicago.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and South Chicago.
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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
17.5 mi · 24 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana, Taylor Street, Roosevelt Road
616 ft · 15 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East, I 94 East: Indiana
1203 ft · 29 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
3.8 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East
2183 ft · 53 sec
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13
Merge slight right onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
2612 ft · 50 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago Skyway
4.5 mi · 7 min · Chicago Skyway
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15
Turn straight onto Chicago Skyway
591 ft · 14 sec · Chicago Skyway
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16
Merge slight left onto Chicago Skyway
1651 ft · 40 sec · Chicago Skyway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Anthony Avenue, 92nd Street
1381 ft · 34 sec
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18
Turn left onto South Anthony Avenue
110 m · 10 sec · South Anthony Avenue
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19
Turn left onto East 92nd Street
1409 ft · 50 sec · East 92nd Street
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20
Turn left onto South Commercial Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South Commercial Avenue
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21
Turn left onto East 86th Street
829 ft · 39 sec · East 86th Street
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22
Turn right
66 m · 16 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and South 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.
I 290 East
Take the ramp left toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago
17.5 mi · 00h 24m
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 South Chicago.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to South Chicago?
The road trip is about 51 miles (82.1 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?
Bellwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.5 miles from Elgin and 25.5 miles from South Chicago.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.7 miles (68.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 3:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.79 one way or $13.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elgin and Mostly Sunny near South Chicago.
Stop Ideas Near Bellwood
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 Bellwood.
La Grange Road
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and South Chicago. Straight-line distance: 42.67 mi (68.67 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 South Chicago
Former township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 28,095 |
| Coordinates | 41.7397700, -87.5542500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Chicago (-87.55425, 41.73977)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 82 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.79 | $13.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.66 | $15.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $8.38 | $16.75 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $9.55 | $19.09 |
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.