Origin
Elgin, IL
Late night in Elgin on Friday
Local time
3:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elgin, IL to Atkinson, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
139.1 mi
224 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 37m
★
6 AM
2h 48m
8 AM
3h 10m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elgin, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Atkinson, IL
Max W
Trip Overview
This 139.1-mile drive from Elgin, Illinois, to Atkinson, Illinois, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-80, I-39, and the historic Lincoln Highway, you'll find the journey is largely highway-focused. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, this route offers a straightforward and efficient way to travel within the Midwest. The drive is designed for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making for a predictable travel experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69.5 miles from Elgin, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 139.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The character of this 139.1-mile route is predominantly highway-focused, with 64% of the drive on interstates like I-80 and I-39. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 50.9 miles on I-80, which means extended periods of consistent speed. While the Lincoln Highway offers a change of pace, the overall feel is one of efficient travel. Expect a driving experience where the journey is about covering distance smoothly rather than navigating intricate local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 50.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 39. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.7 miles in near CR 5 / Silver Glen Road.
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 139.1 miles you will encounter 18 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 6.7 miles (CR 5 / Silver Glen Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 32.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
6.7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
CR 5 / Silver Glen Road
Turn right onto CR 5 / Silver Glen Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
32.3 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the ramp toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
Navigation decision point
Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
5
32.6 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
48.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington, Normal
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington, No...
6
86.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: La Salle-Peru, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 59B
Toward I 80 West: La Salle-Peru, Des Moines
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elgin, IL and Atkinson, IL, road signs point toward Normal and Des Moines.
Normal
48.2 mi in
|
~1h 8m
Des Moines
86.5 mi in
|
~1h 49m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 50.9 mi | 54m |
| I 39 | 38 mi | 40m |
| Lincoln Highway | 16.6 mi | 22m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway | 15.6 mi | 16m |
| North La Fox Street | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Bolcum Road | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| LaFox Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| South State Street | 2 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 50.9 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin, IL and Atkinson, IL.
1
Start on East Chicago Street
34 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Chicago Street
2
Turn right onto Villa Street
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Villa Street
3
Turn right onto East National Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East National Street
4
Turn left onto IL 31
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South State Street
5
Continue on IL 31
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
North La Fox Street
6
Turn right onto CR 5
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Silver Glen Road
Use the right lane.
7
Turn left onto CR 34
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Randall Road
8
Turn right onto Bolcum Road
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Bolcum Road
9
Enter roundabout onto CR 2
178 ft
·
3 sec
·
Burlington Road
10
Continue on CR 2
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Burlington Road
11
Continue on CR 81
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
LaFox Road
12
Turn right onto IL 38
17 mi
·
22 min
·
Lincoln Highway
13
Turn left onto Peace Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Peace Road
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 88 West Toll: Moline Rock Island
15
Merge onto I 88; IL 110
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 39 South, US 51 South: Bloomington, Normal
17
Merge onto I 39; US 51
38 mi
·
40 min
·
I 39; US 51
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 59B
Toward I 80 West: La Salle-Peru, Des Moines
19
Merge onto I 80
51 mi
·
54 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward Atkinson, Galva
21
Turn right onto South State Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South State Street
22
Turn right onto East Main Street
56 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under three hours, this trip from Elgin to Atkinson is best tackled in one day. Leaving in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, will allow you to arrive in Atkinson with plenty of daylight remaining. The longest stretch without a major road change is about 50.9 miles on I-80, so plan your first stop around the midpoint if you prefer to break up driving. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $22, and ensure you have enough to reach Atkinson comfortably.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.5 miles from Elgin, IL, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 31 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.5 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atkinson, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elgin, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elgin, IL
This is one driving day of about 139.1 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Elgin, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 50.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.5 mi from Elgin, IL · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.5 miles from Elgin, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Atkinson, IL
The final approach into Atkinson, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Atkinson, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.75 one way
$43.49 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.88 | $47.75 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.77 | $53.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.71 | $61.42 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.93
Reagan Memorial Tollway
(15.6 mi)
$0.93
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.61 | $6.68 |
| Efficient EV | 34.8 | 0 | $12.17 | $5.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.6 | 0 | $19.47 | $8.90 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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
Atkinson, IL
Late night in Atkinson on Friday
Local time
3:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
21 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 48m 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 Elgin, IL to Atkinson, IL covers 139.1 miles and takes about 2h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 39, Lincoln Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69.5 miles from Elgin, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.75 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 139.1 miles you will encounter 18 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 6.7 miles (CR 5 / Silver Glen Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 32.6 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Elgin, IL and Atkinson, IL, road signs point toward Normal and Des Moines.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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