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Trip from Elmhurst, IL to Pontiac, IL

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 50m

Distance

91 mi

146 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 43m ★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Illinois, United States

Elmhurst, IL

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Pontiac, IL, IL

Pontiac, IL

Ernest Westphal

Trip Overview

The drive from Elmhurst, IL to Pontiac, IL covers 91 miles and takes about 1h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Veterans Memorial Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 68 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.23 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

45.5 miles from Elmhurst, IL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 91 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 50m highway drive covering 91 miles, with most of the trip on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Veterans Memorial Tollway. The longest continuous stretch is about 68 miles on Adlai Stevenson Expressway.

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.
Adlai Stevenson Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 68 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Adlai Stevenson Expressway and Veterans Memorial Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 91 miles you will encounter 20 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 3.4 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
3.4 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway

Merge onto I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road)
7
8.9 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward I 355 South: Joliet

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 131A Toward I 355 South: Joliet
8
18.2 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the exit toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis

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 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis
7
18.5 mi into trip | ~26m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Joliet Road South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward Joliet Road South
7
18.8 mi into trip | ~26m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Elmhurst, IL and Pontiac, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.

Saint Louis

18.2 mi in | ~25m

Joliet Road South

18.5 mi in | ~26m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Adlai Stevenson Expressway 68 mi 1h 15m
Veterans Memorial Tollway 8.6 mi 10m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway 5.5 mi 6m
North 1500 East Road 2.4 mi 3m
South York Street 2.1 mi 4m
South York Road 0.8 mi 1m
West Howard Street 0.8 mi 2m
Old Route 66 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Adlai Stevenson Expressway — 68 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elmhurst, IL and Pontiac, IL.

1

Start on this road

267 ft · 25 sec · this road
2

Turn left

51 ft · 9 sec
3

Turn left onto West Park Avenue

362 ft · 13 sec · West Park Avenue
4

Turn right onto South York Street

2.1 mi · 4 min · South York Street
5

Continue on South York Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · South York Road
6

Turn right onto Frontage Road

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 88 West, IL 110: West Aurora
8

Merge onto I 88; IL 110

5.5 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
Exit 138 Toward 22nd Street (Cermak Road) Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Exit 131A Toward I 355 South: Joliet Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 355

8.6 mi · 10 min · Veterans Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 12A Toward I 55 South: Joliet Road, Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward Joliet Road South Use the slight left lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 55 South: Saint Louis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 55

68 mi · 1 hr 15 min · Adlai Stevenson Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Toward IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
16

Keep slight left at fork

111 ft · 2 sec
Toward IL 23: Pontiac, Streator
17

Turn left onto IL 23

2.4 mi · 3 min · North 1500 East Road
18

Turn right onto IL 23

0.4 mi · 48 sec · Old Route 66
19

Turn left onto IL 116

0.8 mi · 2 min · West Howard Street
20

Turn right onto North Main Street

313 ft · 8 sec · North Main Street
21

Turn right onto West Madison Street

302 ft · 15 sec · West Madison Street
22

Turn right onto North Mill Street

204 ft · 4 sec · North Mill Street
23

Arrive at destination

North Mill Street

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 45.5 miles from Elmhurst, IL, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68 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 20 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 45.5 miles or 56m 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 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pontiac, IL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Elmhurst, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Elmhurst, IL

This is one driving day of about 91 miles and 1h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Elmhurst, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Adlai Stevenson Expressway for about 68 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 45.5 mi from Elmhurst, IL · 56m into the drive

village in Troy Township, Will County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Shorewood, IL

46 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

Downers Grove, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Minooka, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.5 miles from Elmhurst, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Adlai Stevenson Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68 miles.

Arriving in Pontiac, IL

The final approach into Pontiac, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Pullman National Historical Park

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...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free near mile 3.1
Caution: Road Construction Near the Park
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.23 one way

$28.45 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $15.62 $31.24
premium $4.89 $17.51 $35.02
diesel $5.61 $20.09 $40.18

Estimated Tolls: $0.93

Veterans Memorial Tollway (8.6 mi) $0.60
Reagan Memorial Tollway (5.5 mi) $0.33

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

$14

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.3 0 $9.56 $4.37
Efficient EV 22.8 0 $7.96 $3.64
EV Truck/SUV 36.4 0 $12.74 $5.82

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (66% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Elmhurst, IL

Afternoon in Elmhurst on Thursday

Local time

3:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pontiac, IL

Afternoon in Pontiac on Thursday

Local time

3:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°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

5 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

1h 50m 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 Elmhurst, IL to Pontiac, IL covers 91 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Adlai Stevenson Expressway, Veterans Memorial Tollway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.5 miles from Elmhurst, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.23 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 91 miles you will encounter 20 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 3.4 miles (I 88; IL 110 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Elmhurst, IL and Pontiac, IL, road signs point toward Saint Louis and Joliet Road South.

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