How far is North Chicago, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from North Chicago, IL to Elgin, IL is about 45.9 miles (73.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.1 miles (48.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 56m 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 58m.
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.
City in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Chicago and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Chicago and Elgin.
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1
Start on Fellows Place
667 ft · 32 sec · Fellows Place
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2
Turn right onto 18th Street
47 m · 10 sec · 18th Street
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3
Turn right onto Sheridan Road
2930 ft · 40 sec · Sheridan Road
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4
Continue on Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
1.4 km · 1 min · Bobby E. Thompson Expressway
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5
Turn right onto Buckley Road
3 mi · 5 min · Buckley Road
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 94 Toll East: Chicago
1998 ft · 52 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
3.5 mi · 4 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Willow Road
1072 ft · 26 sec
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10
Keep slight right
1015 ft · 25 sec
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11
Turn right onto Willow Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Willow Road
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12
Continue on Palatine Road
6.2 mi · 9 min · Palatine Road
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 53 South
1330 ft · 33 sec
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14
Merge slight left
3.2 mi · 4 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 Toll: Rockford, Chicago
1785 ft · 28 sec
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16
Take the exit slight right toward IL 62: Algonquin Road
1810 ft · 44 sec
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17
Turn right onto West Algonquin Road
1.3 km · 1 min · West Algonquin Road
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18
Turn left onto North Meacham Road
3070 ft · 1 min · North Meacham Road
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19
Take the ramp right toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
2686 ft · 1 min
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20
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward IL 25
154 m · 12 sec
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22
Continue on IL 25
2671 ft · 1 min
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23
Continue straight
648 ft · 18 sec
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24
Turn left onto Dundee Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Dundee Avenue
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25
Continue on Center Street
694 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
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26
Turn right
95 m · 28 sec
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27
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
36 m · 3 sec · East Chicago Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Chicago 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.
Tri-State Tollway
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
11 mi · 00h 13m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving North Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Chicago to Elgin?
The road trip is about 45.9 miles (73.8 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?
Prospect Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.1 miles from North Chicago and 22.9 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.1 miles (48.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.11 one way or $12.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Prospect 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 Prospect Heights.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Chicago and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 30.07 mi (48.4 km).
#1 North Chicago
City and suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA
| Population | 29,639 |
| Coordinates | 42.3255800, -87.8411800 |
| Altitude | 201 |
| 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: 74 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.11 | $12.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.89 | $13.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.54 | $15.08 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.59 | $17.18 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.