How far is Mount Vernon, IL from Elk Grove, IL?

The driving distance from Mount Vernon, IL to Elk Grove, IL is about 296.6 miles (477.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 260 miles (418.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
296.64 mi
04h 31m
Flight
259.97 mi
418.38 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mount Vernon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
259.97 mi
Kilometers
418.38 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
296.64 mi
Kilometers
477.4 km
Drive Time
04h 31m

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 04h 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elk Grove
Thu, Oct 15, 6:00 PM CDT
Return by in Mount Vernon
Thu, Oct 15, 10:31 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mount Vernon
2026-10-15T13:29
Arrive Elk Grove
Thu, Oct 15, 6:00 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:31 AM to 12:31 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:58 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mount Vernon
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Champaign
IL

The most populous city in Champaign County, Illinois.

From Mount Vernon
145.9 mi
02h 15m
To Elk Grove
150.7 mi
02h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
1 to 13 mph S
Destination
62°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Mount Vernon and Elk Grove.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vernon and Elk Grove.

  1. 1

    Start on Broadway Street

    44 m · 10 sec · Broadway Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South 9th Street

    87 m · 20 sec · South 9th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Main Street

    2130 ft · 40 sec · Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto Broadway Street

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Broadway Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right

    1350 ft · 22 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Ken Gray Expressway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Ken Gray Expressway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway

    67.5 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Ken Gray Expressway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 57 North: Chicago

    185.5 mi · 3 hr 21 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 83, I 294 Toll North: Sibley Boulevard, 147th Street, Wisconsin

    1718 ft · 33 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway

    20.8 mi · 26 min · Tri-State Tollway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway

  13. 13

    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

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway

    1.3 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 290 West: Rockford

    1.4 km · 2 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on Saint Charles Road West

    1751 ft · 43 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, York Road

    636 ft · 16 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on York Road

    1093 ft · 29 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto North York Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · North York Street

  21. 21

    Continue on South York Road

    4.3 mi · 8 min · South York Road

  22. 22

    Continue on South Elmhurst Road

    1 mi · 2 min · South Elmhurst Road

  23. 23

    Continue on South Elmhurst Road

    159 m · 27 sec · South Elmhurst Road

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Elmhurst Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Mount Vernon and Elk Grove.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 57 North
185 mi · 63%
Ken Gray Expressway
68.5 mi · 23%
Tri-State Tollway
22.8 mi · 8%
South York Road
4.29 mi · 1%
Broadway Street
2.46 mi · 1%
Saint Charles Road West
2.21 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 31m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.6 mi
260 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Champaign
02h 15m from Mount Vernon
Leave By
7:58 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon to Elk Grove?

The road trip is about 296.6 miles (477.4 km) and usually takes 04h 31m 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?

Champaign is a useful midpoint, sitting about 145.9 miles from Mount Vernon and 150.7 miles from Elk Grove.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 260 miles (418.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:58 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.84 one way or $97.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Mount Vernon and Showers And Thunderstorms near Elk Grove.

Stop Ideas Near Champaign

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Champaign, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Champaign.

RAIL

Illinois Terminal

45 East University Ave.
RAIL

Rantoul

23 mi away
West Sangamon and North Kentucky Aves.
BUS

Danville, Illinois

52 mi away
379 Lynch Road
RAIL

Mattoon station

71 mi away
1718 Broadway Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mount Vernon and Elk Grove. Straight-line distance: 259.97 mi (418.38 km).

Mount Vernon

#1 Mount Vernon

City located near the center of Jefferson County, Illinois, United States

Population14,511
Coordinates38.3172700, -88.9031200
Altitude156
CountryUnited States
Elk Grove

#2 Elk Grove

Township in Cook County, Illinois

Population31,831
Coordinates42.0072500, -87.9403400
Altitude204
CountryUnited States
Start: Broadway Street (-88.903084, 38.316947)
End: South Elmhurst Road (-87.940348, 42.00725)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 477 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.47 gal
39.62 L · about $48.84
Round trip
$97.69
20.94 gal · 79.24 L
Estimated CO2
93 kg one way
Round trip: 186.1 kg / 410 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.67 $48.84 $97.69
Mid-grade $5.29 $55.41 $110.81
Premium $5.84 $61.11 $122.23
Diesel $6.57 $68.80 $137.60

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

There is no time difference between Mount Vernon and Elk Grove. The current time is 13:29:33.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.