Origin
Elgin, IL
Evening in Elgin on Thursday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
49m
Distance
34.3 mi
55 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elgin, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Avondale, IL
Saynam Hung
The drive from Elgin, IL to Avondale, IL covers 34.3 miles and takes about 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, West Higgins Avenue, Dundee Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 22 miles on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.36 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 49m. Total distance: 34.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a 49m drive with frequent turns across 34.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.3 miles in near I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 25 decision points packed into just 34.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 49m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 24.3 miles (I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles (Cumberland flyover): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.8 miles (IL 171 / North Cumberland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90 / Jane Addams Memorial Tollway toward Cumberland Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto Cumberland flyover toward IL 171 South: Cumberland Avenue South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto IL 171 / North Cumberland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto West Lawrence Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Kimball Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Elgin, IL to Avondale, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Chicago
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 22 mi | 24m |
| West Higgins Avenue | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| Dundee Avenue | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Kennedy Expressway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| West Higgins Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Cumberland flyover | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Cumberland Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Milwaukee Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Elgin, IL and Avondale, IL.
Start on East Chicago Street
Turn left onto Center Street
Continue on Dundee Avenue
Turn right onto IL 25
Turn straight onto IL 25
Continue on IL 25
Take the ramp
Continue on this road
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit onto Cumberland flyover
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto IL 171
Continue on IL 171
Turn right onto IL 72
Turn right onto IL 72
Turn left onto IL 72
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
Turn left onto West Lawrence Avenue
Turn right onto North Milwaukee Avenue
Turn left onto West Montrose Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90; I 94
Take the exit
Turn right onto North Kimball Avenue
Turn left onto West Belmont Avenue
Turn right onto North Christiana Avenue
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.1 mi from Elgin, IL · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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.
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 17.1 miles from Elgin, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Avondale, IL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.36 one way
$10.72 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.89 | $11.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.60 | $13.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.57 | $15.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.50
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$2
Total
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 12 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.60 | $1.65 |
| Efficient EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.00 | $1.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.80 | $2.20 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Elgin on Thursday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Avondale on Thursday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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