The drive from Elk Grove, IL to Momence, IL covers 73.4 miles and takes about 1h 46m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Tri-State Tollway, Calumet Expressway, Dixie Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.3 miles on Tri-State Tollway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.48 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.7 miles from Elk Grove, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 73.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 46m drive with frequent turns across 73.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tri-State Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 30.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 6.8 miles in near US 20.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 6.8 miles (US 20): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
6.8 mi into trip|~12m in|US 20
Take the ramp onto US 20 toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 290 East, US 20 East: Chicago
8
9.8 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 15A
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
6
10.5 mi into trip|~18m in|I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
7
41.4 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, IL 394 South: Chicago, Danville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West, IL 394 South: Chicago, Danvil...
7
41.7 mi into trip|~58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward IL 394 South: Danville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward IL 394 South: Danville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elk Grove, IL and Momence, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and Danville.
Indiana
9.8 mi in|~16m
Danville
41.4 mi in|~57m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tri-State Tollway
30.3 mi
39m
Calumet Expressway
14.1 mi
19m
Dixie Highway
12 mi
18m
York Road
4.3 mi
7m
County Road East 1241 North
3.9 mi
5m
US 20
3 mi
4m
North York Street
1.3 mi
2m
South Elmhurst Road
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 30.3 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elk Grove, IL and Momence, IL.
1
Start on South Elmhurst Road
1.0 mi·1 min·South Elmhurst Road
2
Continue on York Road
4.3 mi·7 min·York Road
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on North York Street
1.3 mi·2 min·North York Street
4
Turn right onto Lake Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Lake Street
5
Turn slight right
147 ft·7 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp onto US 20
3.0 mi·4 min·US 20
Toward I 290 East, US 20 East: ChicagoUse the right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, IndianaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 294
0.4 mi·47 sec·Tri-State Tollway
Exit 15AToward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
1.0 mi·2 min·Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 88 West, I 294 South: Aurora, Indiana
10
Merge onto I 294
137 ft·1 sec·Tri-State Tollway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
4.8 mi·5 min·Tri-State Tollway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi·4 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 294
0.9 mi·1 min·Mile-Long Bridge
14
Continue on I 294
15 mi·18 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 294
5.5 mi·7 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 94 West, IL 394 South: Chicago, DanvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward IL 394 South: DanvilleUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto IL 394
14 mi·19 min·Calumet Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on IL 1
6.2 mi·9 min·Dixie Highway
20
Continue on IL 1
3.9 mi·5 min·County Road East 1241 North
21
Turn right onto IL 1; IL 17
0.9 mi·1 min·East Taylor Street
22
Turn left onto IL 1; IL 17
0.3 mi·38 sec·South Main Street
23
Turn right onto IL 1; IL 17
5.8 mi·8 min·Dixie Highway
24
Arrive at destination
IL 1; IL 17
Trip Plan
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 36.7 miles from Elk Grove, IL, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.3 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 16 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.7 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Momence, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elk Grove, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elk Grove, IL
This is one driving day of about 73.4 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Elk Grove, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 30.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.7 mi from Elk Grove, IL
· 51m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 32.9
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22
0
$7.71
$3.52
Efficient EV
18.4
0
$6.42
$2.94
EV Truck/SUV
29.4
0
$10.28
$4.70
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Elk Grove, IL
Afternoon
in Elk Grove on Friday
Local time
1:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Momence, IL
Afternoon
in Momence on Friday
Local time
1:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
2 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 46m 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 Elk Grove, IL to Momence, IL covers 73.4 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Calumet Expressway, Dixie Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.7 miles from Elk Grove, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.48 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 73.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 6.8 miles (US 20): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elk Grove, IL and Momence, IL, road signs point toward Indiana and Danville.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
