How far is Kankakee, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Kankakee, IL to Elgin, IL is about 102.8 miles (165.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 67 miles (107.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 23m 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 01h 41m.
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 most populous city in Will County, Illinois.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Patchy Blowing Dust
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kankakee and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kankakee and Elgin.
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1
Start on East Court Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Court Street
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2
Turn right onto Kennedy Drive
1.9 mi · 3 min · Kennedy Drive
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3
Continue on South Main Street
2775 ft · 51 sec · South Main Street
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4
Continue on East Marsile Street
1283 ft · 24 sec · East Marsile Street
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5
Continue on North Convent Street
21.6 mi · 31 min · North Convent Street
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6
Turn left onto West Steger Road
1196 ft · 55 sec · West Steger Road
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7
Turn right onto Wolf Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Wolf Road
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8
Turn left onto Lincoln Highway
3.8 mi · 6 min · Lincoln Highway
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9
Continue on East Maple Street
1471 ft · 27 sec · East Maple Street
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10
Continue on West Lincoln Highway
135 m · 10 sec · West Lincoln Highway
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11
Turn right onto North Cedar Road
2.4 mi · 6 min · North Cedar Road
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12
Turn left onto Maple Road
1060 ft · 18 sec · Maple Road
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13
Take the ramp slight right toward I 355 Toll North: West Suburbs
3244 ft · 57 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
29.5 mi · 35 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 20: Lake Street
2523 ft · 1 min
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16
Turn left
34 m · 4 sec
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17
Turn straight onto Lake Street
5.8 mi · 10 min · Lake Street
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18
Continue on Lake Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Lake Street
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19
Continue on West Lake Street
5.2 mi · 7 min · West Lake Street
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20
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
1279 ft · 22 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
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21
Turn slight left onto Villa Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Villa Street
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22
Turn left
95 m · 28 sec
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23
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
36 m · 3 sec · East Chicago Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kankakee and Elgin.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Veterans Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Veterans Memorial Tollway
29.5 mi · 00h 35m
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.
Partly Sunny then Patchy Blowing Dust leaving Kankakee and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kankakee to Elgin?
The road trip is about 102.8 miles (165.5 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?
Lockport is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.8 miles from Kankakee and 63.1 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 67 miles (107.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.8 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 3:06 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.69 one way or $27.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Patchy Blowing Dust around Kankakee and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Lockport
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 Lockport.
Joliet Transportation Center
Naperville
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kankakee and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 66.99 mi (107.81 km).
#1 Kankakee
City in Kankakee County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 25,668 |
| Coordinates | 41.1200300, -87.8611500 |
| Altitude | 200 |
| 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: 166 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.69 | $27.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.44 | $30.88 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.89 | $33.79 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.25 | $38.51 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.