How far is Highwood, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Highwood, IL to Elgin, IL is about 37.4 miles (60.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.7 miles (42.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 41m 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 00h 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Highwood and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highwood and Elgin.
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1
Start on Prairie Avenue
71 m · 9 sec · Prairie Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Green Bay Road
3103 ft · 1 min · Green Bay Road
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3
Continue on Green Bay Road
2785 ft · 1 min · Green Bay Road
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4
Turn right onto Central Avenue
1 km · 1 min · Central Avenue
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5
Continue on Deerfield Road
639 ft · 13 sec · Deerfield Road
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6
Continue on Deerfield Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Deerfield Road
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7
Take the ramp right toward I 94 East Toll: Chicago
1734 ft · 42 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Willow Road
1072 ft · 26 sec
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11
Keep slight right
1015 ft · 25 sec
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12
Turn right onto Willow Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Willow Road
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13
Continue on Palatine Road
6.2 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IL 53 South
1330 ft · 33 sec
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15
Merge slight left
3.2 mi · 4 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 Toll: Rockford, Chicago
1785 ft · 28 sec
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward IL 62: Algonquin Road
1810 ft · 44 sec
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18
Turn right onto West Algonquin Road
1.3 km · 1 min · West Algonquin Road
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19
Turn left onto North Meacham Road
3070 ft · 1 min · North Meacham Road
-
20
Take the ramp right toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
2686 ft · 1 min
-
21
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward IL 25
154 m · 12 sec
-
23
Continue on IL 25
2671 ft · 1 min
-
24
Continue straight
648 ft · 18 sec
-
25
Turn left onto Dundee Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Dundee Avenue
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26
Continue on Center Street
694 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
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27
Turn right
95 m · 28 sec
-
28
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
36 m · 3 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 Highwood and Elgin.
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.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
10.3 mi · 00h 11m
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.
Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers leaving Highwood and Mostly Sunny near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Highwood to Elgin?
The road trip is about 37.4 miles (60.2 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?
Palatine is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.5 miles from Highwood and 19 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.7 miles (42.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.7 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 4:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.98 one way or $9.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Chance Rain Showers around Highwood and Mostly Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Palatine
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 Palatine.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Naperville
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Highwood and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 26.67 mi (42.92 km).
#1 Highwood
City in Illinois
| Population | 5,301 |
| Coordinates | 42.1997500, -87.8092300 |
| Altitude | 206 |
| 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: 60 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.98 | $9.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.61 | $11.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.14 | $12.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.00 | $14.00 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.