How far is Pontiac, IL from Elmhurst, IL?

The driving distance from Pontiac, IL to Elmhurst, IL is about 90 miles (144.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 78.9 miles (127 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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
90.02 mi
01h 36m
Flight
78.93 mi
127.03 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pontiac.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
78.93 mi
Kilometers
127.03 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
90.02 mi
Kilometers
144.88 km
Drive Time
01h 36m

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 01h 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elmhurst
Fri, Oct 16, 1:59 PM CDT
Return by in Pontiac
Fri, Oct 16, 3:35 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pontiac
2026-10-16T12:22
Arrive Elmhurst
Fri, Oct 16, 1:59 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:36 AM to 11:36 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pontiac
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Channahon
IL

City in Illinois, United States of America

From Pontiac
44.9 mi
00h 48m
To Elmhurst
45 mi
00h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Friday

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Oct 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
54°F
Friday

Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Fri, Oct 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Pontiac and Elmhurst.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pontiac and Elmhurst.

  1. 1

    Start on North Mill Street

    33 m · 8 sec · North Mill Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Howard Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · West Howard Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Old Route 66

    2100 ft · 46 sec · Old Route 66

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Custer Avenue

    682 ft · 17 sec · West Custer Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on North 1500 East Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · North 1500 East Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 55 North: Joliet

    2198 ft · 54 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway

    73.4 mi · 1 hr 23 min · Barack Obama Presidential Expressway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IL 83: Kingery Road

    1051 ft · 26 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on IL 83 North: Kingery Road

    1156 ft · 28 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on IL 83 North: Kingery Road North

    1529 ft · 43 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on Kingery Highway

    10.4 mi · 15 min · Kingery Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right

    103 m · 9 sec

  13. 13

    Turn slight right onto West Saint Charles Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Saint Charles Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South York Street

    1 km · 1 min · South York Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto West Park Avenue

    12 m · 3 sec · West Park Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn slight right

    20 m · 5 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Pontiac and Elmhurst.

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
17 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Barack Obama Presidential Expressway
73.4 mi · 82%
Kingery Highway
10.4 mi · 12%
North 1500 East Road
1.91 mi · 2%
West Saint Charles Road
1.11 mi · 1%
West Howard Street
0.74 mi · 1%
South York Street
0.63 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Barack Obama Presidential Expressway

Merge slight left onto Barack Obama Presidential Expressway

73.4 mi · 01h 23m

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
01h 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.1 mi
78.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Channahon
00h 48m from Pontiac
Leave By
3:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers leaving Pontiac and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely near Elmhurst.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Pontiac to Elmhurst?

The road trip is about 90 miles (144.9 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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?

Channahon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.9 miles from Pontiac and 45 miles from Elmhurst.

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

The direct path is about 78.9 miles (127 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.1 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 3:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.93 one way or $29.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers around Pontiac and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Showers Likely near Elmhurst.

Stop Ideas Near Channahon

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

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

RAIL

Joliet Transportation Center

16 mi away
50 East Jefferson Street
RAIL

Plano

37 mi away
101 West Main Street
RAIL

Naperville

40 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

Dwight station

41 mi away
119 West Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pontiac and Elmhurst. Straight-line distance: 78.93 mi (127.03 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Pontiac

Pontiac is a place in Illinois, United States.

Population0
Coordinates40.8808700, -88.6297800
Altitude196
CountryUnited States
Elmhurst

#2 Elmhurst

A city in DuPage County, Illinois.

Population46,532
Coordinates41.8994700, -87.9403400
Altitude209
CountryUnited States
Start: North Mill Street (-88.629777, 40.88087)
End: (-87.940349, 41.899457)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 145 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.18 gal
12.03 L · about $14.93
Round trip
$29.85
6.36 gal · 24.06 L
Estimated CO2
28.3 kg one way
Round trip: 56.5 kg / 125 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.69 $14.93 $29.85
Mid-grade $5.33 $16.95 $33.90
Premium $5.88 $18.68 $37.37
Diesel $6.58 $20.92 $41.84

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Pontiac and Elmhurst. The current time is 12:22:58.

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.