How far is Elk Grove, IL from Gillespie, IL?
The driving distance from Elk Grove, IL to Gillespie, IL is about 250.2 miles (402.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 221.9 miles (357.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 37m 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 04h 48m.
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.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elk Grove and Gillespie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elk Grove and Gillespie.
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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
116.9 mi · 2 hr 10 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis, Springfield
64.8 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 South: Saint Louis
39.7 mi · 43 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 16: Gillespie, Litchfield
2998 ft · 57 sec
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12
Turn straight onto County Road 1200 North
8.3 mi · 12 min · County Road 1200 North
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13
Turn left onto Macoupin Street
5 m · 1 sec · Macoupin Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Macoupin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elk Grove and Gillespie.
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
117 mi · 02h 10m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Elk Grove and Sunny near Gillespie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elk Grove to Gillespie?
The road trip is about 250.2 miles (402.7 km) and usually takes 04h 48m 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?
Towanda is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.1 miles from Elk Grove and 125.1 miles from Gillespie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 221.9 miles (357.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.30 one way or $66.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Elk Grove and Sunny near Gillespie.
Stop Ideas Near Towanda
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall - Town of Normal
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Bloomington Finance Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Towanda.
Uptown Station
Pontiac station
Lincoln
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elk Grove and Gillespie. Straight-line distance: 221.92 mi (357.14 km).
#1 Elk Grove
Township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 31,831 |
| Coordinates | 42.0072500, -87.9403400 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gillespie
City in Illinois, United States
| Population | 3,048 |
| Coordinates | 39.1297700, -89.8195400 |
| Altitude | 200 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gillespie (-89.81954, 39.12977)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 403 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.30 | $66.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.55 | $75.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.09 | $82.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.83 | $93.67 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.