How far is Lake Forest, IL from Elk Grove, IL?
The driving distance from Lake Forest, IL to Elk Grove, IL is about 27.5 miles (44.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.1 miles (29.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 05m 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 32m.
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 Lake Forest and Elk Grove.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Forest and Elk Grove.
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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
11.7 mi · 14 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Take the exit slight right
965 ft · 24 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 West: Rockford
2122 ft · 40 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
929 ft · 12 sec · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
3 mi · 3 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Elmhurst Road
3136 ft · 43 sec
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19
Continue on Elmhurst Road
157 m · 10 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Elmhurst Road
93 m · 10 sec
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21
Turn left onto South Elmhurst Road
1.3 km · 2 min · South Elmhurst Road
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Elmhurst Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Forest and Elk Grove.
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
11.7 mi · 00h 14m
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 Lake Forest and Showers And Thunderstorms near Elk Grove.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Forest to Elk Grove?
The road trip is about 27.5 miles (44.3 km) and usually takes 00h 32m 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 13.7 miles from Lake Forest and 13.8 miles from Elk Grove.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.1 miles (29.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 7:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.53 one way or $9.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Lake Forest and Showers And Thunderstorms near Elk Grove.
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 Lake Forest and Elk Grove. Straight-line distance: 18.11 mi (29.14 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 Elk Grove
Township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 31,831 |
| Coordinates | 42.0072500, -87.9403400 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Elmhurst Road (-87.940348, 42.00725)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 44 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $4.53 | $9.05 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $5.13 | $10.27 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $5.66 | $11.32 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $6.37 | $12.75 |
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