How far is Walnut, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Walnut, IL to Elgin, IL is about 100.5 miles (161.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 75.3 miles (121.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 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 50m.
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 Ogle 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 Walnut and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Walnut and Elgin.
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1
Start on the route
19 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn left onto Liberty Street
43 m · 8 sec · Liberty Street
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3
Turn right onto South Main Street
1185 ft · 54 sec · South Main Street
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4
Turn right onto East North Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East North Street
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5
Continue on 2850 North Avenue
1659 ft · 33 sec · 2850 North Avenue
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6
Continue on 2825 North Avenue
5.9 mi · 10 min · 2825 North Avenue
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7
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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8
Continue on County Road 2050 E
17.9 mi · 27 min · County Road 2050 E
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9
Take the ramp right
1016 ft · 25 sec
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10
Keep slight left
1.1 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
39.7 mi · 43 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward DeKalb, Sycamore
1739 ft · 49 sec
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13
Keep slight right
50 m · 6 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Peace Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Peace Road
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15
Turn right onto East Lincoln Highway
16.6 mi · 23 min · East Lincoln Highway
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16
Turn left onto LaFox Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · LaFox Road
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17
Continue on Burlington Road
1513 ft · 31 sec · Burlington Road
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Bolcum Road
7 m · 1 sec · Bolcum Road
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Bolcum Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Bolcum Road
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20
Turn left onto Randall Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Randall Road
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21
Turn right onto Silver Glen Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Silver Glen Road
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22
At the end of the road, turn left
6.1 mi · 11 min
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23
Turn right onto East Chicago Street
1719 ft · 55 sec · East Chicago Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Walnut 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
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
39.7 mi · 00h 43m
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 Walnut and Sunny near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Walnut to Elgin?
The road trip is about 100.5 miles (161.8 km) and usually takes 01h 50m 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?
Rochelle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.5 miles from Walnut and 51.1 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 75.3 miles (121.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.2 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 2:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.39 one way or $26.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Walnut and Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Rochelle
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 Rochelle.
Rockford, Illinois
Mendota station
Plano
South Beloit, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Walnut and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 75.3 mi (121.19 km).
#1 Walnut
City in Illinois, United States of America
| Population | 1,296 |
| Coordinates | 41.5567000, -89.5934300 |
| Altitude | 215 |
| 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: 162 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.39 | $26.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.10 | $30.20 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.52 | $33.04 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.83 | $37.66 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.