How far is Elgin, IL from Swansea, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Swansea, IL is about 301.2 miles (484.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 258.2 miles (415.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 44m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in McLean County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Swansea.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Swansea.
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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
6.5 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
111.5 mi · 2 hr 3 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
77.9 mi · 1 hr 24 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 159 South: Collinsville
1434 ft · 48 sec
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15
Continue on Vandalia Street
3 mi · 5 min · Vandalia Street
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16
Continue on South Morrison Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Morrison Avenue
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17
Continue on North Illinois Street
8.4 mi · 13 min · North Illinois Street
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18
Turn right onto North Belt West
1607 ft · 32 sec · North Belt West
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19
Continue on North Belt West
46 m · 10 sec · North Belt West
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Belt West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Swansea.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
112 mi · 02h 03m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely leaving Elgin and Sunny near Swansea.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Swansea?
The road trip is about 301.2 miles (484.7 km) and usually takes 05h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Funks Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 150.6 miles from Elgin and 150.6 miles from Swansea.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 258.2 miles (415.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 43 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.09 one way or $80.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 94.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely around Elgin and Sunny near Swansea.
Stop Ideas Near Funks Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
City Hall - Town of Normal
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Funks Grove.
Uptown Station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Pontiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Swansea. Straight-line distance: 258.24 mi (415.59 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 Swansea
Village in St.
| Population | 13,276 |
| Coordinates | 38.5339400, -89.9889900 |
| Altitude | 166 |
| Country | United States |
End: Swansea (-89.98899, 38.53394)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 485 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $40.09 | $80.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $45.21 | $90.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $49.47 | $98.94 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $56.38 | $112.76 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.