Origin
Antioch, IL
Morning in Antioch on Saturday
Local time
6:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Antioch, IL to Elgin, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h
Distance
38.1 mi
61 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Antioch, IL
Mike Tyurin
Elgin, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Antioch, IL to Elgin, IL is 38.1 miles and takes about 1 hour via IL 59 and US 12, with a fuel budget near $6 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive within the Midwest, taking you across Illinois. Expect a highway-focused experience that makes for a quick trip, perfect for a single day. If you're looking for a simple, direct connection between these two locations, this route offers exactly that, with minimal fuss and a predictable journey.
About the Cities
Arriving in Elgin, IL
Full guide →Elgin is a city in Chicagoland known for its Victorian architecture and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h. Total distance: 38.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 66% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 18.8 miles on IL 59, offering a consistent pace. The main roads include IL 59, US 12, and New Sutton Road, indicating a blend of well-traveled state and U.S. routes. The profile suggests a drive that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads, making for a relatively smooth and predictable experience behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IL 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 18.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IL 59 and US 12. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17.8 miles in near IL 59.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 38.1 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 17.8 miles (IL 59): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.9 miles (IL 25 / Dundee Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
17.8 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
IL 59
Take the exit onto IL 59
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
35.2 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward IL 25
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 56
Toward IL 25
4
35.9 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
IL 25 / Dundee Avenue
Turn left onto IL 25 / Dundee Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
38 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
38.1 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
East Chicago Street
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IL 59 | 18.8 mi | 30m |
| US 12 | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| New Sutton Road | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Dundee Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| Lake Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Center Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Chicago Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
IL 59
— 18.8 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Antioch, IL and Elgin, IL.
1
Start on IL 83
6 ft
·
5 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto Lake Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Street
3
Continue on IL 59
11 mi
·
17 min
·
IL 59
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12; IL 59
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 12; IL 59
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 12; IL 59
6
Continue on US 12; IL 59
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
US 12; IL 59
7
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12; IL 59
8
Continue on US 12; IL 59
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12; IL 59
9
Continue on US 12; IL 59
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 12; IL 59
10
Take the exit onto IL 59
7.8 mi
·
12 min
·
IL 59
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn slight right
284 ft
·
4 sec
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on IL 59
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
New Sutton Road
Use the left lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford
14
Merge onto I 90
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
15
Take the exit
504 ft
·
12 sec
Exit 56
Toward IL 25
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 56
Toward IL 25
17
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
this road
18
Turn left onto IL 25
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Dundee Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on Center Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Center Street
20
Turn right
311 ft
·
28 sec
21
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
117 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Chicago Street
22
Arrive at destination
East Chicago Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.1 mi from Antioch, IL · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.1 miles from Antioch, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Elgin, IL
The final approach into Elgin, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.96 one way
$11.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.54 | $13.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.33 | $14.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.41 | $16.82 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.20
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(2.8 mi)
$0.20
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$0
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.4 | 0 | $4.00 | $1.83 |
| Efficient EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.33 | $1.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.33 | $2.44 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Elgin, IL
Morning in Elgin on Saturday
Local time
6:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
15 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Antioch, IL to Elgin, IL covers 38.1 miles and takes about 1h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IL 59, US 12, New Sutton Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.1 miles from Antioch, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.96 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 38.1 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.8 miles (IL 59): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.9 miles (IL 25 / Dundee Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Antioch, IL to Elgin, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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