How far is Lake of the Woods, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Lake of the Woods, IL to Elgin, IL is about 138.4 miles (222.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 126.6 miles (203.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 05m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake of the Woods and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake of the Woods and Elgin.
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1
Start on the route
42 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn right
92 m · 24 sec
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3
Turn right onto North Lake of the Woods Road
138 m · 12 sec · North Lake of the Woods Road
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4
Turn right onto County Road 50
1318 ft · 1 min · County Road 50
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Prairieview Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Prairieview Road
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 74 East: Champaign
1566 ft · 39 sec
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7
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 5 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 57: Chicago, Memphis
1869 ft · 35 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
1.1 km · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left
111.1 mi · 2 hr 1 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin
1718 ft · 33 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
1.8 mi · 3 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
98 m · 8 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.3 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 290 West: Rockford
1.4 km · 2 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Saint Charles Road West
1751 ft · 43 sec
-
19
Merge slight left
1.9 mi · 3 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, York Road
636 ft · 16 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on US 20 West: Lake Street
5.3 mi · 9 min
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22
Continue on Lake Street
5.9 mi · 10 min · Lake Street
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23
Continue on Lake Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Lake Street
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24
Continue on West Lake Street
5.2 mi · 7 min · West Lake Street
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25
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
1279 ft · 22 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
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26
Turn slight left onto Villa Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Villa Street
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27
Turn left
95 m · 28 sec
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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 Lake of the Woods and Elgin.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 57 North
Merge slight left
111 mi · 02h 01m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lake of the Woods and Partly Sunny near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake of the Woods to Elgin?
The road trip is about 138.4 miles (222.7 km) and usually takes 03h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bradley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.5 miles from Lake of the Woods and 54.9 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 126.6 miles (203.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.40 one way or $36.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lake of the Woods and Partly Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Bradley
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 Bradley.
Kankakee
Gilman
Joliet Transportation Center
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake of the Woods and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 126.58 mi (203.71 km).
#1 Lake of the Woods
Census designated place in Illinois, United States
| Population | 2,912 |
| Coordinates | 40.2064200, -88.3686700 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| 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: 223 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.40 | $36.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.75 | $41.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.71 | $45.42 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.88 | $51.77 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.