How far is Makanda, IL from Elmhurst, IL?
The driving distance from Makanda, IL to Elmhurst, IL is about 348.8 miles (561.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 303.4 miles (488.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 05h 36m.
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.
Township in Douglas County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Makanda and Elmhurst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Makanda and Elmhurst.
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1
Start on Baptist Hill Road
23 m · 3 sec · Baptist Hill Road
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2
Continue on Makanda Road
1.8 mi · 7 min · Makanda Road
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3
Turn right
8.1 mi · 9 min
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4
Turn right onto West Walnut Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Walnut Street
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5
Continue on East Main Street
9.7 mi · 14 min · East Main Street
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6
Continue on West Deyoung Street
3.3 mi · 4 min · West Deyoung Street
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7
Take the exit slight left
1.2 mi · 3 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway
41.3 mi · 45 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185.5 mi · 3 hr 21 min
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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
1.4 km · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IL 38 West: Roosevelt Road
1521 ft · 37 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Roosevelt Road
2501 ft · 38 sec · Roosevelt Road
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17
Take the exit slight right toward North York Road
1420 ft · 44 sec
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18
Turn right onto South York Road
2460 ft · 55 sec · South York Road
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19
Continue on South York Street
2.1 mi · 4 min · South York Street
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20
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
12 m · 3 sec · West Park Avenue
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21
Turn slight right
20 m · 5 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Makanda and Elmhurst.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 57 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago
185 mi · 03h 21m
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 Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers leaving Makanda and Chance Rain Showers near Elmhurst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Makanda to Elmhurst?
The road trip is about 348.8 miles (561.3 km) and usually takes 05h 36m 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?
Arcola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 173.5 miles from Makanda and 175.3 miles from Elmhurst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 303.4 miles (488.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:46 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $57.93 one way or $115.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers around Makanda and Chance Rain Showers near Elmhurst.
Stop Ideas Near Arcola
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 Arcola.
Mattoon station
Illinois Terminal
Effingham
Rantoul
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Makanda and Elmhurst. Straight-line distance: 303.42 mi (488.3 km).
#1 Makanda
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 529 |
| Coordinates | 37.6175500, -89.2089700 |
| Altitude | 136 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elmhurst
A city in DuPage County, Illinois.
| Population | 46,532 |
| Coordinates | 41.8994700, -87.9403400 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.940349, 41.899457)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 561 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.71 | $57.93 | $115.86 |
| Mid-grade | $5.32 | $65.43 | $130.86 |
| Premium | $5.87 | $72.30 | $144.59 |
| Diesel | $6.62 | $81.54 | $163.08 |
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 · Nov 03, 2026