How far is North Riverside, IL from Elgin, IL?

Fastest route

The distance from North Riverside, Illinois to Elgin, Illinois is approximately 32.6 miles (52.5 kilometers) via I-290 W and US-20 W. The route includes tolls.

Directions 🗺️

  1. Head north on Hainsworth Ave toward 23rd St.
  2. Turn left onto 22nd St/Cermak Rd.
  3. Slight right onto 1st Av Cutoff.
  4. Slight right onto IL-171 N/S 1st Ave.
  5. Turn left onto Harrison St.
  6. Use the left lane to take the ramp onto I-290 W.
  7. Follow I-290 W and IL 390 to US-20 W/W Lake St in Hanover Park.
  8. Keep right at the fork to stay on I-290 W, following signs for I-294 Tollway N/Milwaukee/Rockford.
  9. Keep left to stay on I-290 W.
  10. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 5 for Illinois Rte 390 (Toll road).
  11. Continue on US-20 W. Drive to Fulton St in Elgin.
  12. Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto US-20 W/W Lake St.
  13. Continue to follow US-20 W.
  14. Use the left lane to take the Villa St exit.

Tips & Suggestions 🚗

  • 🚦 Make sure to plan your journey and check for any traffic updates to avoid delays.
  • 🍔 Consider taking a short break at a rest stop or a scenic spot along the way.
  • ⛽ Ensure your vehicle has enough fuel before starting the trip.
  • 🧳 Pack some snacks and water for the journey.
  • 🗓️ Don't forget to check the weather forecast to be prepared for any conditions.

FAQs

Q: Is the route toll-free? A: No, the route includes tolls.

Q: How long does it take to travel from North Riverside to Elgin? A: The approximate travel time is 42 minutes.

Q: Are there any alternative routes without tolls? A: There might be alternative routes, but the provided route includes tolls.

Q: Are there any interesting landmarks or attractions along the way? A: While the provided directions focus on the route, there may be various attractions or landmarks nearby worth exploring.

Q: Can I use public transportation to get from North Riverside to Elgin? A: The provided directions are for driving. If you prefer public transportation, you can check for available options such as trains or buses.

Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
37.51 mi
00h 47m
Flight
27.1 mi
43.62 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Riverside.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.1 mi
Kilometers
43.62 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
37.51 mi
Kilometers
60.36 km
Drive Time
00h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elgin
Sun, Apr 19, 10:26 AM CDT
Return by in North Riverside
Sun, Apr 19, 11:13 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Riverside
2026-04-19T09:39
Arrive Elgin
Sun, Apr 19, 10:26 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:47 AM to 10:47 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:56 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in North Riverside
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Itasca
IL

Village in Illinois, U.

From North Riverside
15.1 mi
00h 23m
To Elgin
22.4 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW
Destination
51°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between North Riverside and Elgin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Riverside and Elgin.

  1. 1

    Start on West 26th Street

    21 m · 9 sec · West 26th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Des Plaines Avenue

    2620 ft · 1 min · Des Plaines Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Cermak Road

    1407 ft · 26 sec · Cermak Road

  4. 4

    Turn slight right onto 1st Avenue Cutoff

    1.7 mi · 4 min · 1st Avenue Cutoff

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Harrison Street

    108 m · 10 sec · Harrison Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 290 West

    736 ft · 20 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Expressway

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Eisenhower Expressway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 290 West, I 294 North Toll: Rockford, Milwaukee

    3.9 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

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

    636 ft · 16 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on US 20 West: Lake Street

    5.3 mi · 9 min

  11. 11

    Continue on Lake Street

    5.9 mi · 10 min · Lake Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Lake Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · Lake Street

  13. 13

    Continue on West Lake Street

    5.2 mi · 7 min · West Lake Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway

    1279 ft · 22 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway

  15. 15

    Turn slight left onto Villa Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Villa Street

  16. 16

    Turn left

    95 m · 28 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto East Chicago Street

    36 m · 3 sec · East Chicago Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between North Riverside and Elgin.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
18 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
48 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lake Street
6.73 mi · 18%
US 20 West
5.39 mi · 14%
West Lake Street
5.19 mi · 14%
I 290 West
4.07 mi · 11%
Eisenhower Expressway
3.47 mi · 9%
Villa Street
2.55 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

Lake Street

Continue on Lake Street

5.91 mi · 00h 10m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.4 mi
27.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Itasca
00h 23m from North Riverside
Leave By
4:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving North Riverside 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 Riverside to Elgin?

The road trip is about 37.5 miles (60.4 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?

Itasca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.1 miles from North Riverside and 22.4 miles from Elgin.

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

The direct path is about 27.1 miles (43.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.98 one way or $9.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North Riverside and Mostly Sunny near Elgin.

Stop Ideas Near Itasca

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Itasca, 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 Itasca.

RAIL

Glenview station

20 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

La Grange Road

21 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Naperville

25 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Summit

26 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Riverside and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 27.1 mi (43.62 km).

North Riverside

#1 North Riverside

Village in United States of America

Population6,346
Coordinates41.8428100, -87.8231100
Altitude188
CountryUnited States
Elgin

#2 Elgin

The second most populous city in Kane County, Illinois.

Population110,196
Coordinates42.0372500, -88.2811900
Altitude227
CountryUnited States
Start: West 26th Street (-87.823115, 41.842839)
End: East Chicago Street (-88.281194, 42.037244)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 60 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.32 gal
5.01 L · about $4.98
Round trip
$9.96
2.64 gal · 10.02 L
Estimated CO2
11.7 kg one way
Round trip: 23.5 kg / 52 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $4.98 $9.96
Mid-grade $4.25 $5.61 $11.23
Premium $4.65 $6.14 $12.29
Diesel $5.30 $7.00 $14.00

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

There is no time difference between North Riverside and Elgin. The current time is 09:39:31.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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