How far is La Clede, IL from Saint Elmo, IL?
The driving distance from La Clede, IL to Saint Elmo, IL is about 35 miles (56.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.4 miles (20 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 27m 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 43m.
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.
City in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between La Clede and Saint Elmo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Clede and Saint Elmo.
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1
Start on Bond Street
36 m · 10 sec · Bond Street
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2
Turn left onto Fayette Avenue
25 m · 3 sec · Fayette Avenue
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3
Turn left onto County Road 980 North
4.4 mi · 8 min · County Road 980 North
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4
Turn left onto Iowa Street
2466 ft · 52 sec · Iowa Street
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5
Take the ramp right
1618 ft · 39 sec
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6
Merge slight left
12.3 mi · 13 min
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 70 West: Saint Louis
2280 ft · 56 sec
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8
Merge slight right onto I 70 West: Saint Louis
15.5 mi · 17 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward St Elmo
1133 ft · 19 sec
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10
Turn right onto Interstate Drive
2974 ft · 1 min · Interstate Drive
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11
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Cumberland Road
2671 ft · 56 sec · East Cumberland Road
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12
Turn left onto South Main Street
1254 ft · 57 sec · South Main Street
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13
Turn right onto East 4th Street
44 m · 6 sec · East 4th Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Clede and Saint Elmo.
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.
I 70 West
Merge slight right onto I 70 West: Saint Louis
15.5 mi · 00h 17m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving La Clede and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Saint Elmo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Clede to Saint Elmo?
The road trip is about 35 miles (56.4 km) and usually takes 00h 43m 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?
Effingham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.5 miles from La Clede and 17.5 miles from Saint Elmo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.4 miles (20 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.6 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 7:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.68 one way or $9.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around La Clede and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Saint Elmo.
Stop Ideas Near Effingham
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 Effingham.
Effingham
Mattoon station
Centralia station
Mt. Vernon, IL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Clede and Saint Elmo. Straight-line distance: 12.44 mi (20.02 km).
#1 La Clede
Township in Fayette County, Illinois
| Population | 881 |
| Coordinates | 38.8797700, -88.7153300 |
| Altitude | 174 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Saint Elmo
City in Illinois
| Population | 1,367 |
| Coordinates | 39.0272700, -88.8481100 |
| Altitude | 189 |
| Country | United States |
End: Saint Elmo (-88.84811, 39.02727)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.68 | $9.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.27 | $10.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.77 | $11.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.58 | $13.15 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.