Drive or Fly: Elmhurst, IL to East Alton, IL?
Side-by-side comparison of driving versus flying for this route. Costs, time, and trade-offs at a glance.
Driving wins
MediumNo scheduled commercial flights found for ORD–STL. At 274 miles, driving is the only practical option.
Find Your Vehicle (EPA fuel economy data)
· · Fuel cost: $
Drive
Door to Door
5h 16m
Distance
274.4 mi
Total Cost
$96
CO2
111 kg
Cost Breakdown
Fly
Door to Door
3h 4m
29m in the air
Air Distance
238 mi
Total Cost
$185
CO2
61 kg
Door-to-Door Timeline
Cost Breakdown
Airports
No scheduled flights found
No commercial flights between ORD and STL. Flight estimates above are theoretical.
At a Glance
| Drive | Fly | |
|---|---|---|
| Door-to-door time | 5h 16m | 3h 4m |
| Total cost (1 person) | $96 | $185 |
| Carbon footprint | 111 kg CO2 | 61 kg CO2 |
| Flexibility | High | Low |
| Luggage | Unlimited | Restricted |
| Reliability | Weather dependent | Data unavailable |
Costs are estimates. Actual flight prices vary by airline, date, and booking time. Drive costs based on OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices. Computed Apr 18, 2026.
Route Options
2 different routes between these cities.
via I 55, IL 140, I 355
via I 55, I 39; US 51, I 80
Decided to drive? See the full trip plan from Elmhurst, IL to East Alton, IL with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.