How far is Thornton, IL from Elk Grove, IL?
The driving distance from Thornton, IL to Elk Grove, IL is about 46.4 miles (74.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.9 miles (56.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 42m 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 00h 51m.
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 Cook County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Rain Likely
Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Elk Grove.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Elk Grove.
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1
Start on Margaret Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Margaret Street
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2
Turn left onto Ridge Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Ridge Road
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3
Turn right onto Halsted Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Halsted Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 West, I 294 North: Tri-State Tollway, Iowa, Wisconsin
1382 ft · 55 sec
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West, I 294 North: Iowa, Wisconsin
2462 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.3 km · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
24.3 mi · 30 min · Tri-State Tollway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Tri-State Tollway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 290 West, I 294 North, I 290 East: Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago
98 m · 8 sec · Tri-State Tollway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
1.3 km · 2 min · Tri-State Tollway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 290 West: Rockford
1.4 km · 2 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Saint Charles Road West
1751 ft · 43 sec
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14
Merge slight left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West, IL 64 West: Lake Street, York Road
636 ft · 16 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on York Road
1093 ft · 29 sec
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17
Turn left onto North York Street
1.6 km · 2 min · North York Street
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18
Continue on South York Road
4.3 mi · 8 min · South York Road
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19
Continue on South Elmhurst Road
1 mi · 2 min · South Elmhurst Road
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20
Continue on South Elmhurst Road
159 m · 27 sec · South Elmhurst Road
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Elmhurst Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton 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.
Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
24.3 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Partly Sunny then Rain Likely leaving Thornton and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely near Elk Grove.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Elk Grove?
The road trip is about 46.4 miles (74.6 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?
Justice is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.9 miles from Thornton and 25.4 miles from Elk Grove.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.9 miles (56.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 4:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.18 one way or $12.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Rain Likely around Thornton and Mostly Cloudy then Rain Likely near Elk Grove.
Stop Ideas Near Justice
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 Justice.
Summit
La Grange Road
Chicago Union Station
Homewood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Elk Grove. Straight-line distance: 34.84 mi (56.07 km).
#1 Thornton
Village in Cook County, Illinois, USA
| Population | 2,367 |
| Coordinates | 41.5680900, -87.6081000 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| 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: 75 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.18 | $12.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.97 | $13.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.63 | $15.27 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.70 | $17.40 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.