How far is Elgin, IL from Washington, IL?
The driving distance from Elgin, IL to Washington, IL is about 152.6 miles (245.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 109.1 miles (175.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 23m 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 03h 11m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in LaSalle County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elgin and Washington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin and Washington.
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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
2959 ft · 58 sec · Villa Street
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3
Turn right onto East National Street
2840 ft · 1 min · East National Street
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4
Turn left onto South State Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · South State Street
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5
Continue on North La Fox Street
4.3 mi · 7 min · North La Fox Street
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6
Turn right onto Silver Glen Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Silver Glen Road
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7
Turn left onto Randall Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Randall Road
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8
Turn right onto Bolcum Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Bolcum Road
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Burlington Road
54 m · 4 sec · Burlington Road
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10
Exit the roundabout onto Burlington Road
1532 ft · 33 sec · Burlington Road
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11
Continue on LaFox Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · LaFox Road
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12
Turn right onto Lincoln Highway
16.6 mi · 23 min · Lincoln Highway
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13
Turn left onto Peace Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Peace Road
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14
Take the ramp left toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
1570 ft · 38 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
15.6 mi · 17 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington, Normal
1786 ft · 43 sec
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17
Merge slight left
83.1 mi · 1 hr 29 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 24: El Paso, Peoria
2387 ft · 1 min
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19
Turn left onto West Main Street
1897 ft · 32 sec · West Main Street
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20
Continue on County Road 1000 North
11.8 mi · 17 min · County Road 1000 North
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21
Continue on East Center Street
2 mi · 3 min · East Center Street
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22
Continue on US Highway 24
1762 ft · 34 sec · US Highway 24
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23
Turn left onto County Road 1200 East
1.5 km · 2 min · County Road 1200 East
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24
Continue on County Road 800 North
1.6 km · 2 min · County Road 800 North
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25
Continue on Eureka Road
3 mi · 5 min · Eureka Road
-
26
Continue on Walnut Street
1 mi · 2 min · Walnut Street
-
27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Peoria Street
91 m · 16 sec · Peoria Street
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28
Exit the roundabout onto Peoria Street
47 m · 7 sec · Peoria Street
-
29
Turn right
28 m · 7 sec
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elgin and Washington.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 39 South
Merge slight left
83.1 mi · 01h 29m
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 Sunny leaving Elgin and Sunny near Washington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elgin to Washington?
The road trip is about 152.6 miles (245.6 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
Mendota is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.2 miles from Elgin and 76.3 miles from Washington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 109.1 miles (175.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.5 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 10:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.29 one way or $40.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elgin and Sunny near Washington.
Stop Ideas Near Mendota
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 Mendota.
Mendota station
Princeton
Plano
Kewanee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elgin and Washington. Straight-line distance: 109.08 mi (175.55 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 Washington
City in Tazewell County, Illinois
| Population | 16,395 |
| Coordinates | 40.7036500, -89.4073100 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| Country | United States |
End: Washington (-89.40731, 40.70365)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 246 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.29 | $40.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.88 | $45.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.04 | $50.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.54 | $57.07 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.