How far is Washington, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Washington, IL to Elgin, IL is about 169.3 miles (272.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 109.1 miles (175.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 18m 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 39m.
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.
Township in LaSalle County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Washington and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington and Elgin.
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1
Start on the route
28 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn left onto Peoria Street
47 m · 7 sec · Peoria Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Walnut Street
95 m · 17 sec · Walnut Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Walnut Street
1 mi · 2 min · Walnut Street
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5
Continue on Eureka Road
3 mi · 5 min · Eureka Road
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6
Continue on County Road 800 North
1.6 km · 2 min · County Road 800 North
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7
Continue on County Road 1200 East
1.5 km · 2 min · County Road 1200 East
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8
Turn right onto US Highway 24
1762 ft · 30 sec · US Highway 24
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9
Continue on West Center Street
2 mi · 3 min · West Center Street
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10
Continue on East State Street
11.8 mi · 17 min · East State Street
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11
Continue on West Main Street
3241 ft · 1 min · West Main Street
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12
Take the ramp slight right toward I 39 North, US 51 North: Rockford
1703 ft · 41 sec
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13
Merge slight left
82.6 mi · 1 hr 29 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East Toll: Chicago
2930 ft · 50 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
15 mi · 16 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward DeKalb, Sycamore
1739 ft · 49 sec
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17
Keep slight right
50 m · 6 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Peace Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Peace Road
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19
Turn right onto East Lincoln Highway
16.6 mi · 23 min · East Lincoln Highway
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20
Turn left onto LaFox Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · LaFox Road
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21
Continue on Burlington Road
1513 ft · 31 sec · Burlington Road
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Bolcum Road
7 m · 1 sec · Bolcum Road
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Bolcum Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Bolcum Road
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24
Turn left onto Randall Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Randall Road
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25
Turn right onto Silver Glen Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Silver Glen Road
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26
At the end of the road, turn left
6.1 mi · 11 min
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27
Turn right onto East Chicago Street
1719 ft · 55 sec · East Chicago Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Washington and Elgin.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 39 North
Merge slight left
82.6 mi · 01h 29m
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 Washington 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 Washington to Elgin?
The road trip is about 169.3 miles (272.4 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?
Troy Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.9 miles from Washington and 93.3 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 109.1 miles (175.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.2 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 1:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.51 one way or $45.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Washington and Mostly Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Troy Grove
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 Troy Grove.
Mendota station
Princeton
Plano
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Washington and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 109.08 mi (175.55 km).
#1 Washington
City in Tazewell County, Illinois
| Population | 16,395 |
| Coordinates | 40.7036500, -89.4073100 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| 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: 272 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.51 | $45.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.39 | $50.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.78 | $55.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.66 | $63.33 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.