How far is Winthrop Harbor, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance from Winthrop Harbor, IL to Elgin, IL is about 68.9 miles (110.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.5 miles (61.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 27m 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 13m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Winthrop Harbor and Elgin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winthrop Harbor and Elgin.
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1
Start on Sheridan Road
13 m · 4 sec · Sheridan Road
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2
Turn right onto 9th Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · 9th Street
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3
Turn left onto North Lewis Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · North Lewis Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Rosecrans Road
4.7 mi · 7 min · Rosecrans Road
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5
Turn left onto North Skokie Highway
5.6 mi · 7 min · North Skokie Highway
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6
Turn slight right onto North Riverside Drive
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Riverside Drive
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7
Continue on North Milwaukee Avenue
1 km · 1 min · North Milwaukee Avenue
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8
Continue on Milwaukee Avenue
3.2 mi · 5 min · Milwaukee Avenue
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9
Turn right onto West Casey Road
2.7 mi · 5 min · West Casey Road
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10
Continue on North Midlothian Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Midlothian Road
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11
Turn right onto Peterson Road
2667 ft · 53 sec · Peterson Road
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12
Turn left onto Ivanhoe Road
2 mi · 4 min · Ivanhoe Road
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13
Continue on Schank Avenue
797 ft · 24 sec · Schank Avenue
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14
Turn right
5.4 mi · 9 min
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15
Turn left onto Barrington Road
2852 ft · 1 min · Barrington Road
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16
Continue straight
7.8 mi · 13 min
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17
Turn slight right
87 m · 5 sec
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18
Continue on New Sutton Road
6.3 mi · 10 min · New Sutton Road
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19
Take the ramp slight right toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford
2305 ft · 56 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward IL 25
154 m · 12 sec
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22
Continue on IL 25
2671 ft · 1 min
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23
Continue straight
648 ft · 18 sec
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24
Turn left onto Dundee Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Dundee Avenue
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25
Continue on Center Street
694 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
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26
Turn right
95 m · 28 sec
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27
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
36 m · 3 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 Winthrop Harbor and Elgin.
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.
Barrington Road
Continue straight
7.77 mi · 00h 13m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Winthrop Harbor 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 Winthrop Harbor to Elgin?
The road trip is about 68.9 miles (110.9 km) and usually takes 01h 13m 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?
Gilmer is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.3 miles from Winthrop Harbor and 43.6 miles from Elgin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.5 miles (61.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.4 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 4:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.16 one way or $18.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Winthrop Harbor and Mostly Sunny near Elgin.
Stop Ideas Near Gilmer
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 Gilmer.
Glenview station
La Grange Road
Naperville
Chicago Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Winthrop Harbor and Elgin. Straight-line distance: 38.45 mi (61.88 km).
#1 Winthrop Harbor
Village in Illinois, United States
| Population | 6,568 |
| Coordinates | 42.4789100, -87.8236800 |
| Altitude | 194 |
| 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: 111 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $9.16 | $18.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.33 | $20.67 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $11.31 | $22.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $12.89 | $25.78 |
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.