How far is Waterloo, IL from Elmhurst, IL?
The driving distance from Waterloo, IL to Elmhurst, IL is about 307 miles (494 km), with a travel time of about 04h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 272.5 miles (438.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 53m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Unincorporated community in Illinois, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterloo and Elmhurst.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterloo and Elmhurst.
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1
Start on West Mill Street
79 m · 17 sec · West Mill Street
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2
Turn left onto North Market Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Market Street
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3
Turn right
9.5 mi · 11 min
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4
Keep slight right to continue on I 255 North, IL 3 North, US 50 East: East Saint Louis, Chicago, Great River Road Illinois North
18.2 mi · 22 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 55 North, I 70 East: Indianapolis, Chicago
1.2 km · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 10 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 270 West: Chicago, Springfield, Kansas City
107.9 mi · 1 hr 57 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 55 North: Chicago
29.4 mi · 31 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
118.1 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IL 83: Kingery Road
1051 ft · 26 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on IL 83 North: Kingery Road
1156 ft · 28 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on IL 83 North: Kingery Road North
1529 ft · 43 sec
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13
Continue on Kingery Highway
10.4 mi · 15 min · Kingery Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right
103 m · 9 sec
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15
Turn slight right onto West Saint Charles Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Saint Charles Road
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16
Turn left onto South York Street
1 km · 1 min · South York Street
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17
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
12 m · 3 sec · West Park Avenue
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18
Turn slight right
20 m · 5 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterloo and Elmhurst.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 55 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 55 North, I 74 West: Chicago, Peoria
118 mi · 02h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waterloo and Showers And Thunderstorms near Elmhurst.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterloo to Elmhurst?
The road trip is about 307 miles (494 km) and usually takes 04h 53m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lawndale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 153.2 miles from Waterloo and 153.7 miles from Elmhurst.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 272.5 miles (438.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.52 one way or $101.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 96.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Waterloo and Showers And Thunderstorms near Elmhurst.
Stop Ideas Near Lawndale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Route 66 Original Alignment- Driveable!
City of Lincoln
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lawndale.
Lincoln
Uptown Station
Springfield station
Peoria, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterloo and Elmhurst. Straight-line distance: 272.46 mi (438.49 km).
#1 Waterloo
City in Illinois
| Population | 10,536 |
| Coordinates | 38.3358900, -90.1498300 |
| Altitude | 216 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elmhurst
A city in DuPage County, Illinois.
| Population | 46,532 |
| Coordinates | 41.8994700, -87.9403400 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.940349, 41.899457)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 494 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $50.52 | $101.04 |
| Mid-grade | $5.29 | $57.31 | $114.62 |
| Premium | $5.84 | $63.21 | $126.43 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $71.16 | $142.33 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026