How far is Elgin, IL from Sycamore, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Sycamore, IL is about 23.9 miles (38.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.1 miles (33.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 20m 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 40m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Sycamore.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Sycamore.
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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
100 m · 13 sec · Center Street
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3
Turn left onto East Highland Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · East Highland Avenue
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4
Continue on Larkin Avenue
1.6 mi · 4 min · Larkin Avenue
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5
Take the ramp straight
2474 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
110 m · 6 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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9
Turn left onto Plank Road
16.7 mi · 27 min · Plank Road
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10
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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11
Turn right onto West State Street
623 ft · 10 sec · West State Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Sycamore.
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.
Plank Road
Turn left onto Plank Road
16.7 mi · 00h 27m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Elgin and Chance Rain Showers near Sycamore.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Sycamore?
The road trip is about 23.9 miles (38.5 km) and usually takes 00h 40m 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?
Salina is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.9 miles from Elgin and 12 miles from Sycamore.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.1 miles (33.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.8 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 7:10 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.21 one way or $6.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Elgin and Chance Rain Showers near Sycamore.
Stop Ideas Near Salina
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 Salina.
Naperville
Plano
Rockford, Illinois
Glenview station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Sycamore. Straight-line distance: 21.08 mi (33.93 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 Sycamore
City in Illinois
| Population | 18,317 |
| Coordinates | 41.9889200, -88.6867500 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sycamore (-88.68675, 41.98892)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 39 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 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 | $3.21 | $6.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.62 | $7.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.96 | $7.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.51 | $9.02 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.