How far is Gurnee, IL from Elmhurst, IL?
The driving distance from Gurnee, IL to Elmhurst, IL is about 38.8 miles (62.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.6 miles (52.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 45m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gurnee and Elmhurst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gurnee and Elmhurst.
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1
Start on North Greenleaf Street
28 m · 8 sec · North Greenleaf Street
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2
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1509 ft · 25 sec · Grand Avenue
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward US 41 South: Chicago
1644 ft · 45 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Skokie Highway
1.5 km · 1 min · Skokie Highway
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5
Turn slight right onto IL 43 South, IL 120 West
2872 ft · 51 sec
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6
Continue on Waukegan Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Waukegan Road
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7
Turn right onto Buckley Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Buckley Road
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8
Take the ramp slight left toward I 94 Toll East: Chicago
1998 ft · 52 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
19.3 mi · 24 min · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 290 West: Rockford, Elmhurst
1229 ft · 30 sec
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12
Merge slight right
142 m · 7 sec
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 64 West: North Avenue
1208 ft · 30 sec
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14
Turn straight onto East North Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · East North Avenue
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15
Turn left onto North York Street
1509 ft · 36 sec · North York Street
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16
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
102 m · 9 sec · West 2nd Street
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17
Keep slight left to continue on West 2nd Street
39 m · 9 sec · West 2nd Street
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Addison Avenue
808 ft · 29 sec · North Addison Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Cottage Hill Avenue
70 m · 13 sec · Cottage Hill Avenue
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20
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
622 ft · 26 sec · West Park Avenue
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21
Turn sharp left
20 m · 5 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gurnee and Elmhurst.
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
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
19.3 mi · 00h 24m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Rain Showers leaving Gurnee and 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 Gurnee to Elmhurst?
The road trip is about 38.8 miles (62.4 km) and usually takes 00h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Ridgeland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19 miles from Gurnee and 19.8 miles from Elmhurst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.6 miles (52.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.39 one way or $12.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Gurnee and Showers And Thunderstorms near Elmhurst.
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 Gurnee and Elmhurst. Straight-line distance: 32.59 mi (52.45 km).
#1 Gurnee
Village in Illinois
| Population | 30,168 |
| Coordinates | 42.3703000, -87.9020200 |
| Altitude | 207 |
| 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: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $6.39 | $12.78 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $7.25 | $14.50 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $8.00 | $15.99 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $9.00 | $18.00 |
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