How far is Winamac, IN from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Winamac, IN to Elgin, IL is about 141.2 miles (227.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 110.3 miles (177.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 03h 13m.
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.
The most populous city in Lake County, Indiana.
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 Winamac and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winamac and Elgin.
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1
Start on North Monticello Street
10.5 mi · 16 min · North Monticello Street
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2
Continue on S 400 E
1.4 mi · 2 min · S 400 E
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3
Turn left onto East 600 S
4 mi · 5 min · East 600 S
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4
Continue on West 600 South
2 mi · 3 min · West 600 South
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5
Turn right onto S 200 W
8.6 mi · 12 min · S 200 W
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6
Continue on State Road 39
4.6 mi · 6 min · State Road 39
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7
Turn left onto Lincoln Highway
15.5 mi · 20 min · Lincoln Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward SR 49 North, SR 2 East: Valparaiso, Chesterton
9.2 mi · 13 min
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9
Turn left onto I 80, I 90: Toll Road
120 m · 10 sec
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10
Continue straight
757 ft · 18 sec
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11
Continue on I 80, I 90: Toll Road
125 m · 10 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West, I 90 West: Chicago
1246 ft · 31 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road
29.4 mi · 33 min · Indiana Toll Road
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14
Turn straight onto Indiana Toll Road
963 ft · 2 min · Indiana Toll Road
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15
Merge slight right onto Indiana Toll Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Indiana Toll Road
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16
Continue on Chicago Skyway
2.9 mi · 5 min · Chicago Skyway
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17
Turn straight onto Chicago Skyway
724 ft · 18 sec · Chicago Skyway
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18
Merge slight left onto Chicago Skyway
4.1 mi · 6 min · Chicago Skyway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago Skyway
1987 ft · 31 sec · Chicago Skyway
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20
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
7.2 mi · 11 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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21
Continue on Kennedy Expressway
7.9 mi · 11 min · Kennedy Expressway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Montrose Avenue
1041 ft · 29 sec
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23
Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · West Montrose Avenue
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24
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
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25
Turn left onto North Northwest Highway
21 m · 2 sec · North Northwest Highway
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26
Continue on North Northwest Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · North Northwest Highway
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27
Turn slight left onto West Bryn Mawr Avenue
1.8 mi · 4 min · West Bryn Mawr Avenue
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28
Continue on West Higgins Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · West Higgins Road
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29
Take the ramp right toward I 90 Toll West
1334 ft · 33 sec
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30
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
20.6 mi · 22 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward IL 25
154 m · 12 sec
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32
Continue on IL 25
2671 ft · 1 min
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33
Continue straight
648 ft · 18 sec
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34
Turn left onto Dundee Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Dundee Avenue
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35
Continue on Center Street
694 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
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36
Turn right
95 m · 28 sec
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37
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
36 m · 3 sec · East Chicago Street
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chicago Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Winamac and Elgin.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Indiana Toll Road
Merge slight left onto Indiana Toll Road
29.4 mi · 00h 33m
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.
Sunny leaving Winamac and Sunny near Elgin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Winamac to Elgin?
The road trip is about 141.2 miles (227.3 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Gary is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.5 miles from Winamac and 70.7 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 110.3 miles (177.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.9 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:34 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.46 one way or $38.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Winamac and Elgin, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Winamac and Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Gary
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 Gary.
Gary, IN
Hammond–Whiting station
Dyer station
Homewood
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Winamac and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 110.31 mi (177.53 km).
#1 Winamac
County seat in Indiana
| Population | 2,295 |
| Coordinates | 41.0514300, -86.6030600 |
| 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: Elgin (-88.28119, 42.03725)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 227 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $19.46 | $38.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.49 | $22.34 | $44.68 |
| Premium | $5.01 | $24.96 | $49.93 |
| Diesel | $6.64 | $33.06 | $66.11 |
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 Indiana · Oct 13, 2026