How far is Galena, IL from Elmhurst, IL?
The driving distance from Galena, IL to Elmhurst, IL is about 151.7 miles (244.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132.4 miles (213 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 21m 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 40m.
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.
The second most populous city in Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Galena and Elmhurst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Galena and Elmhurst.
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1
Start on South Bench Street
2297 ft · 2 min · South Bench Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Bench Street
32 m · 11 sec · South Bench Street
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3
Turn left onto Decatur Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Decatur Street
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4
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
12.8 mi · 18 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on Madison Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Madison Street
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6
Continue on West Diagonal Street
639 ft · 21 sec · West Diagonal Street
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7
Continue on North Main Street
2099 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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8
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.6 mi · 6 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on East Woodbine Street
2853 ft · 1 min · East Woodbine Street
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10
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
6.4 mi · 9 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on West North Avenue
2.1 mi · 4 min · West North Avenue
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12
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
33.2 mi · 42 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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13
Continue on West State Road
9.8 mi · 11 min · West State Road
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14
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
14.5 mi · 17 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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15
Continue straight
1 km · 41 sec
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Chicago
2544 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
19.8 mi · 21 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
29.8 mi · 32 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 290, IL 53: Chicago, West Suburbs
2618 ft · 1 min
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
1686 ft · 41 sec
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21
Continue on I 290 East, IL 53 South: Chicago, West Suburbs
1362 ft · 33 sec
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22
Merge slight left
5.7 mi · 7 min
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23
Keep slight right to continue on I 290 East: Chicago
6.6 mi · 9 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward York Road
1504 ft · 46 sec
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25
Turn left onto North York Street
1.2 km · 2 min · North York Street
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26
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
102 m · 9 sec · West 2nd Street
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27
Keep slight left to continue on West 2nd Street
39 m · 9 sec · West 2nd Street
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28
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Addison Avenue
808 ft · 29 sec · North Addison Avenue
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29
Turn right onto Cottage Hill Avenue
70 m · 13 sec · Cottage Hill Avenue
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30
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
622 ft · 26 sec · West Park Avenue
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31
Turn sharp left
20 m · 5 sec
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Galena and Elmhurst.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Continue on U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
33.2 mi · 00h 42m
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 Galena and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Elmhurst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Galena to Elmhurst?
The road trip is about 151.7 miles (244.1 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?
Rockford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.8 miles from Galena and 75.9 miles from Elmhurst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132.4 miles (213 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.3 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 1:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.17 one way or $40.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Galena and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Elmhurst.
Stop Ideas Near Rockford
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 Rockford.
Rockford, Illinois
South Beloit, Illinois
Janesville, Wisconsin
Mendota station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Galena and Elmhurst. Straight-line distance: 132.38 mi (213.04 km).
#1 Galena
County seat of Jo Daviess County, Illinois
| Population | 3,151 |
| Coordinates | 42.4166700, -90.4290200 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elmhurst
A city in DuPage County, Illinois.
| Population | 46,532 |
| Coordinates | 41.8994700, -87.9403400 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.940349, 41.899457)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 244 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.17 | $40.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.75 | $45.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.90 | $49.80 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.38 | $56.75 |
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.