How far is Elmhurst, IL from South Chicago Heights, IL?

The driving distance from Elmhurst, IL to South Chicago Heights, IL is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.9 miles (52.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
37.11 mi
00h 56m
Flight
32.86 mi
52.89 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Elmhurst.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.86 mi
Kilometers
52.89 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
37.11 mi
Kilometers
59.73 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Chicago Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 3:07 PM CDT
Return by in Elmhurst
Sun, Apr 19, 4:03 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elmhurst
2026-04-19T14:10
Arrive South Chicago Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 3:07 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Elmhurst
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Chicago Ridge
IL

Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States

From Elmhurst
18.6 mi
00h 28m
To South Chicago Heights
18.6 mi
00h 28m

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
52°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Elmhurst and South Chicago Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elmhurst and South Chicago Heights.

  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

    15.1 mi · 19 min · Tri-State Tollway

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Hazel Crest, Homewood

    1168 ft · 18 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight right

    1676 ft · 26 sec

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Dixie Highway

    1387 ft · 25 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Dixie Highway

    1.5 km · 2 min · Dixie Highway

  21. 21

    Continue on Dixie Highway

    562 ft · 20 sec · Dixie Highway

  22. 22

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Dixie Highway

    4.1 mi · 9 min · Dixie Highway

  23. 23

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Chicago Road

    2 mi · 5 min · Chicago Road

  24. 24

    Turn right onto West Sauk Trail

    9 m · 1 sec · West Sauk Trail

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Sauk Trail

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Elmhurst and South Chicago Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
25 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
67.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Tri-State Tollway
25.7 mi · 69%
Dixie Highway
5.35 mi · 14%
Chicago Road
2.03 mi · 5%
Mile-Long Bridge
0.94 mi · 3%
East Saint Charles Road
0.86 mi · 2%
South York Street
0.63 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.2 mi
32.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chicago Ridge
00h 28m from Elmhurst
Leave By
4:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Elmhurst and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near South Chicago Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Elmhurst to South Chicago Heights?

The road trip is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?

Chicago Ridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.6 miles from Elmhurst and 18.6 miles from South Chicago Heights.

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

The direct path is about 32.9 miles (52.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.2 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 4:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.94 one way or $9.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elmhurst and Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny near South Chicago Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Chicago Ridge

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Chicago Ridge, 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 Chicago Ridge.

RAIL

Summit

10 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.
RAIL

La Grange Road

15 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Homewood

18 mi away
18015 Park Ave.
RAIL

Hammond–Whiting station

22 mi away
1135 South Calumet Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Elmhurst and South Chicago Heights. Straight-line distance: 32.86 mi (52.89 km).

Elmhurst

#1 Elmhurst

A city in DuPage County, Illinois.

Population46,532
Coordinates41.8994700, -87.9403400
Altitude209
CountryUnited States
South Chicago Heights

#2 South Chicago Heights

Village in United States of America

Population3,957
Coordinates41.4808700, -87.6378200
Altitude218
CountryUnited States
Start: Elmhurst (-87.94034, 41.89947)
End: South Chicago Heights (-87.63782, 41.48087)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 60 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.31 gal
4.96 L · about $4.94
Round trip
$9.88
2.62 gal · 9.92 L
Estimated CO2
11.6 kg one way
Round trip: 23.3 kg / 51 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $4.94 $9.88
Mid-grade $4.25 $5.57 $11.14
Premium $4.65 $6.10 $12.19
Diesel $5.30 $6.95 $13.90

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 South Chicago Heights. The current time is 14:10:32.

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.