How far is Rock Island, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Rock Island, IL to Elgin, IL is about 171.7 miles (276.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.9 miles (199.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m 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 02h 36m.
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 and county seat of Lee County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rock Island and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Island and Elgin.
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1
Start on 15th Street
757 ft · 33 sec · 15th Street
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2
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
1.6 mi · 4 min · 5th Avenue
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3
Continue on 38th Street
922 ft · 32 sec · 38th Street
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4
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
2834 ft · 1 min · 7th Avenue
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5
Continue on 5th Avenue
2336 ft · 1 min · 5th Avenue
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6
Continue on 5th Avenue
1820 ft · 54 sec · 5th Avenue
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7
Turn straight onto 6th Avenue
1635 ft · 53 sec · 6th Avenue
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8
Turn right onto 14th Street
100 m · 15 sec · 14th Street
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9
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
1989 ft · 1 min · 7th Avenue
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10
Turn right onto 19th Street
21 m · 1 sec · 19th Street
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11
Take the ramp slight right
1788 ft · 44 sec
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12
Merge slight left
2.3 mi · 3 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IL 5 East
1448 ft · 36 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto John Deere Road
10.6 mi · 16 min · John Deere Road
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15
Keep slight left
1799 ft · 24 sec
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16
Continue straight
43.8 mi · 47 min
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17
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
50.2 mi · 54 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward DeKalb, Sycamore
1739 ft · 49 sec
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19
Keep slight right
50 m · 6 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Peace Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Peace Road
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21
Turn right onto East Lincoln Highway
16.6 mi · 23 min · East Lincoln Highway
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22
Turn left onto LaFox Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · LaFox Road
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23
Continue on Burlington Road
1513 ft · 31 sec · Burlington Road
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Bolcum Road
7 m · 1 sec · Bolcum Road
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25
Exit the roundabout onto Bolcum Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Bolcum Road
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26
Turn left onto Randall Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Randall Road
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27
Turn right onto Silver Glen Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Silver Glen Road
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28
At the end of the road, turn left
6.1 mi · 11 min
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29
Turn right onto East Chicago Street
1719 ft · 55 sec · East Chicago Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rock Island and Elgin.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
50.2 mi · 00h 54m
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 then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rock Island 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 Rock Island to Elgin?
The road trip is about 171.7 miles (276.4 km) and usually takes 02h 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?
Dixon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.1 miles from Rock Island and 99.7 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.9 miles (199.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.8 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 1:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.85 one way or $45.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rock Island and Mostly Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Dixon
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 Dixon.
Mendota station
Princeton
Rockford, Illinois
Kewanee
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rock Island and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 123.88 mi (199.36 km).
#1 Rock Island
City in Illinois
| Population | 36,870 |
| Coordinates | 41.5094800, -90.5787500 |
| Altitude | 171 |
| 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: 276 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.85 | $45.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.77 | $51.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.20 | $56.41 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.14 | $64.28 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.