How far is Lake Forest, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Lake Forest, IL to Elgin, IL is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.3 miles (43.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m 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 54m.
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.
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States; suburb of Chicago, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Forest and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Forest and Elgin.
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1
Start on Griffith Road
22 m · 3 sec · Griffith Road
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2
Turn straight onto East Woodland Road
1960 ft · 1 min · East Woodland Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Green Bay Road
2060 ft · 1 min · North Green Bay Road
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4
Turn right onto East Deerpath
1.6 km · 3 min · East Deerpath
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5
Take the ramp left toward Deerpath Road
1302 ft · 36 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto South Skokie Highway
926 ft · 12 sec · South Skokie Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IL 60
534 ft · 14 sec
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8
Continue on W Kennedy Road
2279 ft · 45 sec · W Kennedy Road
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9
Continue on Townline Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Townline Road
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10
Continue on East Townline Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Townline Road
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11
Take the ramp left toward I 94 Toll East: Indiana
1872 ft · 49 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
5.8 mi · 7 min · Tri-State Tollway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Willow Road
1072 ft · 26 sec
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15
Keep slight right
1015 ft · 25 sec
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16
Turn right onto Willow Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Willow Road
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17
Continue on Palatine Road
6.2 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road
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18
Take the exit slight right toward IL 53 South
1330 ft · 33 sec
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19
Merge slight left
3.2 mi · 4 min
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 Toll: Rockford, Chicago
1785 ft · 28 sec
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21
Take the exit slight right toward IL 62: Algonquin Road
1810 ft · 44 sec
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22
Turn right onto West Algonquin Road
1.3 km · 1 min · West Algonquin Road
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23
Turn left onto North Meacham Road
3070 ft · 1 min · North Meacham Road
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24
Take the ramp right toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
2686 ft · 1 min
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25
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward IL 25
154 m · 12 sec
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27
Continue on IL 25
2671 ft · 1 min
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28
Continue straight
648 ft · 18 sec
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29
Turn left onto Dundee Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Dundee Avenue
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30
Continue on Center Street
694 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
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31
Turn right
95 m · 28 sec
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32
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
36 m · 3 sec · East Chicago Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Forest 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.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Lake Forest and Sunny near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Forest to Elgin?
The road trip is about 48.6 miles (78.2 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?
Arlington Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.3 miles from Lake Forest and 28.3 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.3 miles (43.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 4:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.45 one way or $12.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Lake Forest and Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Arlington Heights
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 Arlington Heights.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Summit
Naperville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Forest and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 27.27 mi (43.88 km).
#1 Lake Forest
City in Lake County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 19,379 |
| Coordinates | 42.2586300, -87.8406300 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| 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: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.45 | $12.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.27 | $14.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.96 | $15.92 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $9.07 | $18.14 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.