How far is Empire, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Empire, IL to Elgin, IL is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.7 miles (195.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 47m 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 02h 53m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Empire and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Empire and Elgin.
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1
Start on East 150 North Road
1.1 mi · 4 min · East 150 North Road
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2
Turn left onto East 200 North Road
784 ft · 13 sec · East 200 North Road
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3
Take the ramp right toward I 74 West: Bloomington
2041 ft · 50 sec
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4
Merge slight left
9.1 mi · 10 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Downs
1174 ft · 25 sec
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6
Turn right onto East 700 North Road
140 m · 11 sec · East 700 North Road
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7
Continue on South Seminary Street
1 km · 2 min · South Seminary Street
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8
At the end of the road, turn left
2 mi · 3 min
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9
Turn right onto Towanda Barnes Road
6.8 mi · 11 min · Towanda Barnes Road
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10
Continue on Towanda-Barnes Road
3 mi · 5 min · Towanda-Barnes Road
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11
Continue on West Hely Street
1225 ft · 40 sec · West Hely Street
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12
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
2706 ft · 1 min · South Jefferson Street
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13
Continue on North 1900 East Road
709 ft · 15 sec · North 1900 East Road
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14
Take the ramp right toward I 55 North: Joliet
1857 ft · 45 sec
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15
Merge slight left
48.3 mi · 52 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 47: Morris, Dwight
1853 ft · 35 sec
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17
Turn left
32 mi · 39 min
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18
Turn right onto Walker Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Walker Road
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19
Turn left onto Ashley Road
2.8 mi · 4 min · Ashley Road
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20
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Schoolhouse Road
2391 ft · 46 sec · East Schoolhouse Road
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21
Turn left onto Minkler Road
3.4 mi · 5 min · Minkler Road
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Minkler Road
38 m · 4 sec · Minkler Road
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Minkler Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Minkler Road
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24
Continue on Orchard Road
11.2 mi · 19 min · Orchard Road
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25
Turn left onto South Randall Road
10.5 mi · 18 min · South Randall Road
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26
Turn right onto Silver Glen Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Silver Glen Road
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27
At the end of the road, turn left
6.1 mi · 11 min
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28
Turn right onto East Chicago Street
1719 ft · 55 sec · East Chicago Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Empire and Elgin.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 55 North
Merge slight left
48.3 mi · 00h 52m
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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Empire and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Empire to Elgin?
The road trip is about 173.6 miles (279.4 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?
Dwight is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.7 miles from Empire and 101.9 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.7 miles (195.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.9 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 12:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.12 one way or $46.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Empire and Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Dwight
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 Dwight.
Dwight station
Pontiac station
Kankakee
Gilman
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Empire and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 121.68 mi (195.83 km).
#1 Empire
Township in McLean County, Illinois
| Population | 4,024 |
| Coordinates | 40.3055900, -88.7075700 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elgin
The second most populous city in Kane County, Illinois.
| Population | 110,196 |
| Coordinates | 42.0372500, -88.2811900 |
| Altitude | 227 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Chicago Street (-88.281194, 42.037244)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.12 | $46.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.07 | $52.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.53 | $57.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.51 | $65.03 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.