How far is South Shore, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from South Shore, IL to Elgin, IL is about 51.2 miles (82.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.9 miles (65.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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 18m.
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 in Cook County, Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Shore and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Shore and Elgin.
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1
Start on South Euclid Avenue
57 m · 10 sec · South Euclid Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East 73rd Street
152 m · 26 sec · East 73rd Street
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3
Turn right onto South Jeffery Boulevard
1324 ft · 40 sec · South Jeffery Boulevard
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4
Turn right onto East 75th Street
1 mi · 2 min · East 75th Street
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5
Turn right onto South South Chicago Avenue
1.4 mi · 3 min · South South Chicago Avenue
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6
Turn right onto South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive
2471 ft · 54 sec · South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive
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7
Turn left
77 m · 14 sec
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8
Turn left onto East 63rd Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East 63rd Street
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9
Turn right onto South Wentworth Avenue
47 m · 4 sec · South Wentworth Avenue
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10
Take the ramp slight left toward I 90 West, I 94 West
1110 ft · 27 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
1.9 mi · 3 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
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12
Take the exit slight left toward I 90 Express, I 94 Express: 22nd Street
2060 ft · 50 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
4.5 mi · 7 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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14
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
7.9 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Montrose Avenue
1041 ft · 29 sec
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16
Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · West Montrose Avenue
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17
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
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18
Turn left onto North Northwest Highway
21 m · 2 sec · North Northwest Highway
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19
Continue on North Northwest Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · North Northwest Highway
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20
Turn slight left onto West Bryn Mawr Avenue
1.8 mi · 4 min · West Bryn Mawr Avenue
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21
Continue on West Higgins Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · West Higgins Road
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22
Take the ramp right toward I 90 Toll West
1334 ft · 33 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
20.6 mi · 22 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward IL 25
154 m · 12 sec
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25
Continue on IL 25
2671 ft · 1 min
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26
Continue straight
648 ft · 18 sec
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27
Turn left onto Dundee Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Dundee Avenue
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28
Continue on Center Street
694 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
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29
Turn right
95 m · 28 sec
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30
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
36 m · 3 sec · East Chicago Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Shore 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.
Sunny leaving South Shore and Sunny near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Shore to Elgin?
The road trip is about 51.2 miles (82.4 km) and usually takes 01h 18m 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?
Park Ridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.3 miles from South Shore and 26 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.9 miles (65.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.3 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:54 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.14 one way or $16.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around South Shore and Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Park Ridge
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 Park Ridge.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Summit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Shore and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 40.87 mi (65.77 km).
#1 South Shore
South Shore is a place in Illinois, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 41.7619800, -87.5778300 |
| 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: 82 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.50 | $8.14 | $16.27 |
| Mid-grade | $5.12 | $9.26 | $18.53 |
| Premium | $5.68 | $10.28 | $20.55 |
| Diesel | $6.52 | $11.80 | $23.61 |
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 · Nov 09, 2026