How far is South Chicago, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from South Chicago, IL to Elgin, IL is about 55.1 miles (88.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.7 miles (68.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 41m 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 01h 20m.
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.
Village in United States of America
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 South Chicago and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Chicago and Elgin.
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1
Start on the route
66 m · 18 sec
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2
Turn right onto East 86th Street
51 m · 13 sec · East 86th Street
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3
Turn left onto South Muskegon Avenue
667 ft · 35 sec · South Muskegon Avenue
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4
Turn left onto East 87th Street
996 ft · 24 sec · East 87th Street
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5
Turn right onto South Commercial Avenue
1 km · 1 min · South Commercial Avenue
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6
Turn right onto East 92nd Street
1130 ft · 35 sec · East 92nd Street
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7
Take the ramp right toward I 90 West: Chicago Skyway
1513 ft · 37 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Chicago Skyway
1410 ft · 34 sec · Chicago Skyway
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9
Turn straight onto Chicago Skyway
724 ft · 18 sec · Chicago Skyway
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10
Merge slight left onto Chicago Skyway
4.1 mi · 6 min · Chicago Skyway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago Skyway
1987 ft · 31 sec · Chicago Skyway
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12
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.2 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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13
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
7.9 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Montrose Avenue
1041 ft · 29 sec
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15
Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · West Montrose Avenue
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16
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
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17
Turn left onto North Northwest Highway
21 m · 2 sec · North Northwest Highway
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18
Continue on North Northwest Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · North Northwest Highway
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19
Turn slight left onto West Bryn Mawr Avenue
1.8 mi · 4 min · West Bryn Mawr Avenue
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20
Continue on West Higgins Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · West Higgins Road
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21
Take the ramp right toward I 90 Toll West
1334 ft · 33 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
20.6 mi · 22 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward IL 25
154 m · 12 sec
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24
Continue on IL 25
2671 ft · 1 min
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25
Continue straight
648 ft · 18 sec
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26
Turn left onto Dundee Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Dundee Avenue
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27
Continue on Center Street
694 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
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28
Turn right
95 m · 28 sec
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29
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
36 m · 3 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 South 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.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
20.6 mi · 00h 22m
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 South 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 South Chicago to Elgin?
The road trip is about 55.1 miles (88.7 km) and usually takes 01h 20m 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?
Harwood Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.6 miles from South Chicago and 28.6 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.7 miles (68.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.4 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 3:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.35 one way or $14.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around South Chicago and Mostly Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Harwood 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 Harwood Heights.
Glenview station
Chicago Union Station
La Grange Road
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Chicago and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 42.67 mi (68.67 km).
#1 South Chicago
Former township in Cook County, Illinois
| Population | 28,095 |
| Coordinates | 41.7397700, -87.5542500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| 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: 89 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.35 | $14.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.29 | $16.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.08 | $18.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.34 | $20.69 |
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.