How far is Elk Grove, IL from Thornton, IL?
The driving distance from Elk Grove, IL to Thornton, IL is about 41.8 miles (67.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.9 miles (56.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 01m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely
Partly Sunny then Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elk Grove and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elk Grove and Thornton.
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1
Start on South Elmhurst Road
1.5 km · 2 min · South Elmhurst Road
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2
Continue on York Road
4.3 mi · 8 min · York Road
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3
Continue on North York Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · North York Street
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4
Turn right onto Lake Street
1569 ft · 34 sec · Lake Street
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5
Turn slight right
45 m · 8 sec
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6
Take the ramp right toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago
3 mi · 4 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
1648 ft · 40 sec
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8
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
42 m · 2 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Continue on Mile-Long Bridge
1.5 km · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge
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14
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
15.1 mi · 19 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 1: Halsted Street
1185 ft · 29 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on IL 1 South: Halsted Street
2096 ft · 51 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Halsted Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Halsted Street
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19
Turn left onto Ridge Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Ridge Road
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20
At the end of the road, turn right onto Margaret Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Margaret Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Margaret Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elk Grove and Thornton.
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.
Tri-State Tollway
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
15.1 mi · 00h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely leaving Elk Grove and Partly Sunny then Rain Likely near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elk Grove to Thornton?
The road trip is about 41.8 miles (67.3 km) and usually takes 01h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Willow Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.9 miles from Elk Grove and 20.9 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.9 miles (56.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.58 one way or $11.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely around Elk Grove and Partly Sunny then Rain Likely near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Willow Springs
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 Willow Springs.
Summit
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elk Grove and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 34.84 mi (56.07 km).
#1 Elk Grove
Township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 31,831 |
| Coordinates | 42.0072500, -87.9403400 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Thornton
Village in Cook County, Illinois, USA
| Population | 2,367 |
| Coordinates | 41.5680900, -87.6081000 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thornton (-87.6081, 41.56809)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 67 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.58 | $11.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.29 | $12.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.89 | $13.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.85 | $15.70 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.