How far is Elk Grove, IL from Empire, IL?
The driving distance from Elk Grove, IL to Empire, IL is about 147.9 miles (238.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 124.1 miles (199.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m 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 06m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elk Grove and Empire.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elk Grove and Empire.
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1
Start on South Elmhurst Road
1.5 km · 2 min · South Elmhurst Road
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2
Turn right onto Devon Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · Devon Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Busse Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Busse Road
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4
Continue on Kingery Highway
2 mi · 3 min · Kingery Highway
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5
Continue on Robert Kingery Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · Robert Kingery Highway
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6
Continue on Kingery Highway
11.3 mi · 18 min · Kingery Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 South: Joliet
2800 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
102.9 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Towanda
1442 ft · 27 sec
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10
Turn straight onto North 1900 East Road
2035 ft · 44 sec · North 1900 East Road
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11
Continue on North Jefferson Street
2706 ft · 1 min · North Jefferson Street
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Hely Street
1225 ft · 35 sec · West Hely Street
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13
Continue on Towanda-Barnes Road
3 mi · 5 min · Towanda-Barnes Road
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14
Continue on North Towanda Barnes Road
6.8 mi · 11 min · North Towanda Barnes Road
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15
Turn left
2 mi · 3 min
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16
Turn right onto North Seminary Street
3190 ft · 1 min · North Seminary Street
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17
Continue on East 700 North Road
1886 ft · 44 sec · East 700 North Road
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18
Turn left onto I 74 East: Champaign
1420 ft · 35 sec
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19
Merge slight left
9 mi · 10 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 136: Rantoul, Heyworth
1508 ft · 31 sec
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21
Turn left onto East 200 North Road
2295 ft · 37 sec · East 200 North Road
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22
Turn right onto East 150 North Road
1.1 mi · 4 min · East 150 North Road
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 150 North Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elk Grove and Empire.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Merge slight left onto Adlai Stevenson Expressway
103 mi · 01h 55m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Elk Grove and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Empire.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elk Grove to Empire?
The road trip is about 147.9 miles (238.1 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Dwight is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74 miles from Elk Grove and 73.9 miles from Empire.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 124.1 miles (199.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.68 one way or $39.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Elk Grove and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Empire.
Stop Ideas Near Dwight
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 Dwight.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Kankakee
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elk Grove and Empire. Straight-line distance: 124.16 mi (199.82 km).
#1 Elk Grove
Township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 31,831 |
| Coordinates | 42.0072500, -87.9403400 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Empire
Township in McLean County, Illinois
| Population | 4,024 |
| Coordinates | 40.3055900, -88.7075700 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| Country | United States |
End: Empire (-88.70757, 40.30559)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 238 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.68 | $39.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.20 | $44.40 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.29 | $48.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.69 | $55.37 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.