How far is Granite City, IL from Elmhurst, IL?

The driving distance from Granite City, IL to Elmhurst, IL is about 284.7 miles (458.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 249.7 miles (401.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 07m 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
284.72 mi
04h 33m
Flight
249.71 mi
401.87 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Granite City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
249.71 mi
Kilometers
401.87 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
284.72 mi
Kilometers
458.21 km
Drive Time
04h 33m

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 04h 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elmhurst
Wed, Apr 15, 1:53 AM CDT
Return by in Granite City
Wed, Apr 15, 6:27 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Granite City
2026-04-14T21:20
Arrive Elmhurst
Wed, Apr 15, 1:53 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 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
7:52 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Granite City
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
McLean
IL

Village in McLean County, Illinois, United States

From Granite City
141.7 mi
02h 16m
To Elmhurst
143 mi
02h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Tonight

Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 PM CDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph SW
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Granite City and Elmhurst.

  1. 1

    Start on Niedringhaus Avenue

    1307 ft · 37 sec · Niedringhaus Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Madison Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Madison Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Nameoki Road

    3.4 mi · 6 min · Nameoki Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I 270 East: Effingham

    2142 ft · 43 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    9.8 mi · 11 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North: Chicago, Springfield

    1668 ft · 47 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    107.2 mi · 1 hr 56 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago

    29.4 mi · 31 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

    118.1 mi · 2 hr 11 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 83: Kingery Road

    1051 ft · 26 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on IL 83 North: Kingery Road

    1156 ft · 28 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on IL 83 North: Kingery Road North

    1529 ft · 43 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on Kingery Highway

    10.4 mi · 15 min · Kingery Highway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    103 m · 9 sec

  15. 15

    Turn slight right onto West Saint Charles Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Saint Charles Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South York Street

    1 km · 1 min · South York Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West Park Avenue

    12 m · 3 sec · West Park Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn slight right

    20 m · 5 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 55 North
255 mi · 90%
Kingery Highway
10.4 mi · 4%
I 270 East
10.3 mi · 4%
Nameoki Road
3.36 mi · 1%
Madison Avenue
1.64 mi · 1%
West Saint Charles Road
1.11 mi
Longest Stretch

I 55 North

Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria

118 mi · 02h 11m

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
04h 33m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35 mi
249.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
McLean
02h 16m from Granite City
Leave By
7:52 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Granite City 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 Granite City to Elmhurst?

The road trip is about 284.7 miles (458.2 km) and usually takes 04h 33m 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?

McLean is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.7 miles from Granite City and 143 miles from Elmhurst.

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

The direct path is about 249.7 miles (401.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 35 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 7:52 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.90 one way or $75.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms around Granite City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Elmhurst.

Stop Ideas Near McLean

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around McLean and the surrounding midpoint area.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
Scenic stop 5.1 mi away

Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!

Atlanta , IL
865 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL 61723, United States
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Tourist attraction
City of Bloomington, Illinois
Meeting point 13.8 mi away

City of Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Rating 3.6/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.8 mi away

Bloomington Finance Department

Bloomington , IL
109 E Olive St, Bloomington, IL 61701
City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Lincoln

25 mi away
Broadway and North Chicago Sts.
RAIL

Uptown Station

27 mi away
100 East Parkinson St.
BUS

Peoria, Illinois

59 mi away
6100 West Everett M. Dirksen Parkway
RAIL

Springfield station

70 mi away
East Washington and North Third Sts.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Granite City and Elmhurst. Straight-line distance: 249.71 mi (401.87 km).

Granite City

#1 Granite City

Township in Madison County, Illinois

Population25,662
Coordinates38.7014400, -90.1487200
Altitude129
CountryUnited States
Elmhurst

#2 Elmhurst

A city in DuPage County, Illinois.

Population46,532
Coordinates41.8994700, -87.9403400
Altitude209
CountryUnited States
Start: Niedringhaus Avenue (-90.14872, 38.701518)
End: (-87.940349, 41.899457)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 458 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.05 gal
38.03 L · about $37.90
Round trip
$75.80
20.1 gal · 76.06 L
Estimated CO2
89.3 kg one way
Round trip: 178.6 kg / 394 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $37.90 $75.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $42.74 $85.49
Premium $4.65 $46.77 $93.55
Diesel $5.30 $53.31 $106.61

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

There is no time difference between Granite City and Elmhurst. The current time is 21:20:21.

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.