How far is River Forest, IL from Elk Grove, IL?
The driving distance from River Forest, IL to Elk Grove, IL is about 14 miles (22.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 9.9 miles (16 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 25m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between River Forest and Elk Grove.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between River Forest and Elk Grove.
-
1
Start on Augusta Street
97 m · 15 sec · Augusta Street
-
2
Turn right onto Lathrop Avenue
1.2 km · 3 min · Lathrop Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto North Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · North Avenue
-
4
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
2872 ft · 1 min · North 1st Avenue
-
5
Turn left onto Des Plaines River Road
3.8 mi · 8 min · Des Plaines River Road
-
6
Turn left onto Lawrence Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Lawrence Avenue
-
7
Turn slight right onto US 12, US 45
108 m · 13 sec
-
8
Turn straight onto Mannheim Road
2.3 mi · 3 min · Mannheim Road
-
9
Turn left onto West Higgins Road
1.3 km · 1 min · West Higgins Road
-
10
Continue on Lee Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · Lee Street
-
11
Continue on West Touhy Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · West Touhy Avenue
-
12
Turn left onto South Elmhurst Road
140 m · 20 sec · South Elmhurst Road
-
13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Elmhurst Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between River Forest and Elk Grove.
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.
Des Plaines River Road
Turn left onto Des Plaines River Road
3.79 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Rain Showers leaving River Forest 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 River Forest to Elk Grove?
The road trip is about 14 miles (22.5 km) and usually takes 00h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Schiller Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.4 miles from River Forest and 7.6 miles from Elk Grove.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 9.9 miles (16 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.29 one way or $4.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around River Forest and Showers And Thunderstorms near Elk Grove.
Stop Ideas Near Schiller Park
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 Schiller Park.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Summit
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between River Forest and Elk Grove. Straight-line distance: 9.97 mi (16.04 km).
#1 River Forest
Village in Cook County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 10,694 |
| Coordinates | 41.8978100, -87.8139500 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elk Grove
Township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 31,831 |
| Coordinates | 42.0072500, -87.9403400 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Elmhurst Road (-87.940348, 42.00725)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 22 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $2.29 | $4.57 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $2.59 | $5.19 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $2.86 | $5.72 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $3.22 | $6.44 |
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