This 21.2-mile drive from Elmhurst, IL to West Ridge, IL is a quick trip that can easily be completed in about 36 minutes, making it perfect for a single day. You'll primarily navigate on the Tri-State Tollway, East Touhy Avenue, and West Peterson Avenue, with a significant portion of the journey on the tollway. The estimated fuel cost for this short haul is around $3. Given its brevity and Midwestern setting, this route is best suited as a straightforward commute or a quick errand run rather than an extended road trip requiring an overnight stay. The turn-heavy local drive profile suggests you'll be making several adjustments to your course.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
10.6 miles from Elmhurst, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 17m into the drive
.
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, which spans 21.2 miles. While the highway share is 100%, indicating a consistent focus on major roadways, the profile suggests a dynamic driving experience. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be 7.8 miles on the Tri-State Tollway, offering a brief period of steady travel. Following this, you'll transition to East Touhy Avenue and West Peterson Avenue, which are likely to involve more frequent turns and local traffic interactions, making it less of a monotonous highway cruise and more of an engaged local journey.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 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 7.8 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 0.1 miles in near North York Street.
Route Complexity9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 21.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North York Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|North York Street
Turn left onto North York Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
1.7 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 294 Toll North: Wisconsin
7
9.8 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward Touhy Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
6
9.9 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Touhy Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 42 A-B
Toward Touhy Avenue
8
10.5 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Touhy Avenue East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42A
Toward Touhy Avenue East
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Elmhurst, IL to West Ridge, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Touhy Avenue East along the way.
Touhy Avenue East
10.5 mi in|~17m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tri-State Tollway
7.8 mi
10m
East Touhy Avenue
3.9 mi
7m
West Peterson Avenue
3.2 mi
5m
North Caldwell Avenue
2.5 mi
3m
East North Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
North Western Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
North York Street
0.5 mi
1m
US 20
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 7.8 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmhurst, IL and West Ridge, 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·17 sec·West Park Avenue
4
Turn left onto North York Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North York Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn right onto IL 64
0.9 mi·2 min·East North Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn slight right onto US 20
0.2 mi·35 sec·US 20
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 294 Toll North: WisconsinUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 294
7.8 mi·10 min·Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy AvenueUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 42 A-BToward Touhy Avenue
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 42AToward Touhy Avenue EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
3.9 mi·7 min·East Touhy Avenue
13
Turn right onto US 14
2.4 mi·3 min·North Caldwell Avenue
14
Continue on North Caldwell Avenue
0.2 mi·13 sec·North Caldwell Avenue
15
Continue on US 14
3.2 mi·5 min·West Peterson Avenue
16
Turn left onto North Western Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Western Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto West Arthur Avenue
0.2 mi·38 sec·West Arthur Avenue
18
Turn right
92 ft·6 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a short duration of just 36 minutes, this 21.2-mile trip from Elmhurst to West Ridge offers a lot of flexibility. You won't need to worry about splitting the drive or extensive rest stops. Aim to leave when local traffic is lighter to make the most of the drive's efficiency, especially as you navigate the turns on East Touhy Avenue and West Peterson Avenue. The estimated fuel cost of $3 is minimal, so you shouldn't have any concerns there. A specific tip for this route: keep an eye on your GPS for the transitions between the Tri-State Tollway and the local streets, as these are where the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive will be most apparent.
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 10.6 miles from Elmhurst, IL, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.8 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 21.2 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.6 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Ridge, 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.
+
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 Elmhurst, IL
This is one driving day of about 21.2 miles and 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elmhurst, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Tri-State Tollway for about 7.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.6 mi from Elmhurst, IL
· 17m into the drive
The midpoint is around 10.6 miles from Elmhurst, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in West Ridge, IL
The final approach into West Ridge, 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 West Ridge, IL.
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
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...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 20.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.31 one way
$6.63 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg7 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$3.64
$7.28
premium
$4.89
$4.08
$8.16
diesel
$5.61
$4.68
$9.36
Estimated Tolls: $0.47
Tri-state Tollway
(7.8 mi)$0.47
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
$3
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging
· 0 stops
· 71% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
6.4
0
$2.23
$1.02
Efficient EV
5.3
0
$1.85
$0.85
EV Truck/SUV
8.5
0
$2.97
$1.36
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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 data refreshed 4 days ago
Origin
Elmhurst, IL
Morning
in Elmhurst on Wednesday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Ridge, IL
Morning
in West Ridge on Wednesday
Local time
6:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
36m 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 West Ridge, IL covers 21.2 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, East Touhy Avenue, West Peterson Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.6 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 $3.31 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 is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 21.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North York Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Elmhurst, IL to West Ridge, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Touhy Avenue East along the way.
