How far is Elmhurst, IL from Fairfield, IL?

The driving distance from Elmhurst, IL to Fairfield, IL is about 273.8 miles (440.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 244.3 miles (393.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
273.78 mi
05h 31m
Flight
244.25 mi
393.08 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Elmhurst.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
244.25 mi
Kilometers
393.08 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
273.78 mi
Kilometers
440.61 km
Drive Time
05h 31m

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 05h 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fairfield
Sun, Apr 19, 7:12 AM CDT
Return by in Elmhurst
Sun, Apr 19, 12:44 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elmhurst
2026-04-19T01:41
Arrive Fairfield
Sun, Apr 19, 7:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:32 AM to 1:32 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
5:56 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Elmhurst
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Champaign
IL

The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.

From Elmhurst
137 mi
02h 45m
To Fairfield
136.8 mi
02h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW
Destination
61°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Elmhurst and Fairfield.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elmhurst and Fairfield.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    81 m · 25 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    15 m · 9 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Park Avenue

    110 m · 14 sec · West Park Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South York Street

    1 km · 1 min · South York Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto East Saint Charles Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · East Saint Charles Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 290 East

    1369 ft · 33 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    1846 ft · 29 sec

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana

    1648 ft · 40 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1937 ft · 47 sec · Tri-State Tollway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    42 m · 2 sec · Tri-State Tollway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Tri-State Tollway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway

  14. 14

    Continue on Mile-Long Bridge

    1.5 km · 1 min · Mile-Long Bridge

  15. 15

    Continue on Tri-State Tollway

    8.5 mi · 11 min · Tri-State Tollway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street

    1162 ft · 28 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue

    2529 ft · 1 min

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto Cicero Avenue

    4.9 mi · 8 min · Cicero Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 167th Street

    855 ft · 26 sec · 167th Street

  20. 20

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80

    3048 ft · 1 min

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    183.5 mi · 3 hr 18 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Sigel, Effingham

    1753 ft · 35 sec

  23. 23

    Turn left

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  24. 24

    Turn right onto East Fayette Avenue

    1123 ft · 33 sec · East Fayette Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn left onto South Banker Street

    14.9 mi · 22 min · South Banker Street

  26. 26

    Continue on County Road 925 East

    16.2 mi · 24 min · County Road 925 East

  27. 27

    Turn slight left

    41 m · 5 sec

  28. 28

    Merge slight right

    3.9 mi · 4 min

  29. 29

    Turn right onto County Road 1400 E

    10.4 mi · 16 min · County Road 1400 E

  30. 30

    Continue on Central Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · Central Street

  31. 31

    Continue on County Road 1800N

    1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road 1800N

  32. 32

    Turn straight onto County Road 1600E

    4.6 mi · 7 min · County Road 1600E

  33. 33

    Continue on Washington Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Washington Street

  34. 34

    Continue on County Road 1600E

    6.4 mi · 10 min · County Road 1600E

  35. 35

    Turn left onto South 1st Street

    18 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street

  36. 36

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Elmhurst and Fairfield.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
36 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 South
184 mi · 67%
County Road 925 East
20.1 mi · 7%
Tri-State Tollway
18.2 mi · 7%
South Banker Street
14.9 mi · 5%
County Road 1600E
11 mi · 4%
County Road 1400 E
10.4 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 57 South

Merge slight left

183 mi · 03h 18m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 31m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.5 mi
244.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Champaign
02h 45m from Elmhurst
Leave By
5:56 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Elmhurst and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Fairfield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Elmhurst to Fairfield?

The road trip is about 273.8 miles (440.6 km) and usually takes 05h 31m 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?

Champaign is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137 miles from Elmhurst and 136.8 miles from Fairfield.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 244.3 miles (393.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.5 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 5:56 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.43 one way or $72.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elmhurst and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Fairfield.

Stop Ideas Near Champaign

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Champaign, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Champaign.

RAIL

Illinois Terminal

45 East University Ave.
RAIL

Rantoul

23 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
BUS

Danville, Illinois

52 mi away
379 Lynch Road
RAIL

Mattoon station

71 mi away
1718 Broadway Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Elmhurst and Fairfield. Straight-line distance: 244.25 mi (393.08 km).

Elmhurst

#1 Elmhurst

A city in DuPage County, Illinois.

Population46,532
Coordinates41.8994700, -87.9403400
Altitude209
CountryUnited States
Fairfield

#2 Fairfield

City in Illinois, United States

Population4,889
Coordinates38.3789400, -88.3597700
Altitude134
CountryUnited States
Start: Elmhurst (-87.94034, 41.89947)
End: Fairfield (-88.35977, 38.37894)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 441 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 54m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.66 gal
36.57 L · about $36.43
Round trip
$72.86
19.32 gal · 73.14 L
Estimated CO2
85.8 kg one way
Round trip: 171.7 kg / 379 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $36.43 $72.86
Mid-grade $4.25 $41.08 $82.17
Premium $4.65 $44.96 $89.92
Diesel $5.30 $51.24 $102.47

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

There is no time difference between Elmhurst and Fairfield. The current time is 01:41:14.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.