How far is Elmhurst, IL from Lake Forest, IL?
The driving distance from Elmhurst, IL to Lake Forest, IL is about 31.8 miles (51.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.4 miles (40.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m 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 00h 46m.
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.
Township in Iroquois County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elmhurst and Lake Forest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmhurst and Lake Forest.
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1
Start on the route
81 m · 25 sec
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2
Turn left
15 m · 9 sec
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3
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
110 m · 18 sec · West Park Avenue
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4
Turn left onto North York Street
2517 ft · 1 min · North York Street
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5
Turn right onto East North Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · East North Avenue
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6
Turn slight right
958 ft · 35 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1754 ft · 43 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
25.1 mi · 31 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IL 60: Town Line Road
2941 ft · 58 sec
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10
Turn straight onto East Townline Road
2448 ft · 52 sec · East Townline Road
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11
Continue on Townline Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Townline Road
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12
Continue on W Kennedy Road
2498 ft · 49 sec · W Kennedy Road
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Skokie Highway
1396 ft · 30 sec · South Skokie Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right
1302 ft · 38 sec
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15
Turn right onto West Deerpath
1.2 mi · 3 min · West Deerpath
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16
Turn left onto North McKinley Road
2419 ft · 52 sec · North McKinley Road
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17
Turn slight right onto East Woodland Road
62 m · 7 sec · East Woodland Road
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18
Turn slight left onto Griffith Road
22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Griffith Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elmhurst and Lake Forest.
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
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
25.1 mi · 00h 31m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Elmhurst and Rain Showers near Lake Forest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elmhurst to Lake Forest?
The road trip is about 31.8 miles (51.1 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Ridgeland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.9 miles from Elmhurst and 15.9 miles from Lake Forest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.4 miles (40.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 4:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.22 one way or $10.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Elmhurst and Rain Showers near Lake Forest.
Stop Ideas Near Ridgeland
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 Ridgeland.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elmhurst and Lake Forest. Straight-line distance: 25.34 mi (40.78 km).
#1 Elmhurst
A city in DuPage County, Illinois.
| Population | 46,532 |
| Coordinates | 41.8994700, -87.9403400 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Forest
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 19,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.2586300, -87.8406300 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Forest (-87.84063, 42.25863)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 51 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $5.22 | $10.45 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $5.93 | $11.85 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $6.54 | $13.07 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $7.36 | $14.72 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026