Origin
Gurnee, IL
Evening in Gurnee on Monday
Local time
5:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gurnee, IL to Elgin, IL
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
38 mi
61 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 57m
★
6 AM
1h 2m
8 AM
1h 12m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 6m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
0h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gurnee, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Elgin, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Gurnee, IL to Elgin, IL covers 38 miles and takes about 1h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on IL 59, New Sutton Road, IL 176 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 7.8 miles on IL 59. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.77 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
19 miles from Gurnee, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Gurnee, IL to Elgin, IL covers 38 miles and takes about 1h 2m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IL 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 7.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near North Riverside Drive.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 38 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.2 miles (North Riverside Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.8 miles (IL 176): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.2 miles (Barrington Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
North Riverside Drive
Turn sharp left onto North Riverside Drive
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
11.8 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
IL 176
Turn right onto IL 176
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
17.2 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
Barrington Road
Turn left onto Barrington Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
35.1 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the exit toward IL 25
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 56
Toward IL 25
5
37.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IL 59 | 7.8 mi | 12m |
| New Sutton Road | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| IL 176 | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| Milwaukee Avenue | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| West Casey Road | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Ivanhoe Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Dundee Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
IL 59
— 7.8 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gurnee, IL and Elgin, IL.
1
Start on North Greenleaf Street
92 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Greenleaf Street
2
Turn left onto IL 132
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Grand Avenue
3
Turn sharp left onto North Riverside Drive
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Riverside Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on North Milwaukee Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Milwaukee Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on IL 21
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Milwaukee Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto West Casey Road
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
West Casey Road
7
Continue on North Midlothian Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North Midlothian Road
8
Turn right onto A33
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Peterson Road
9
Turn left onto IL 83
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Ivanhoe Road
10
Continue on Schank Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Schank Avenue
11
Turn right onto IL 176
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
IL 176
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto Barrington Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Barrington Road
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on IL 59
7.8 mi
·
12 min
·
IL 59
Use the right lane.
14
Turn slight right
284 ft
·
4 sec
Use the slight right lane.
15
Continue on IL 59
6.3 mi
·
9 min
·
New Sutton Road
Use the left lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 90 West Toll: Rockford
17
Merge onto I 90
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
18
Take the exit
504 ft
·
12 sec
Exit 56
Toward IL 25
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 56
Toward IL 25
20
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
this road
21
Turn left onto IL 25
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Dundee Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on Center Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Center Street
23
Turn right
311 ft
·
28 sec
24
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
117 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Chicago Street
25
Arrive at destination
East Chicago 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 19 miles from Gurnee, IL, or about 31m 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 38 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19 miles or 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elgin, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gurnee, 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 Gurnee, IL
This is one driving day of about 38 miles and 1h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gurnee, 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 IL 59 for about 7.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19 mi from Gurnee, IL · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19 miles from Gurnee, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Elgin, IL
The final approach into Elgin, 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 Elgin, 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
$5.77 one way
$11.54 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.36 | $12.73 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.17 | $14.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.44 | $16.88 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.20
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(2.8 mi)
$0.20
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
$6
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.99 | $1.82 |
| Efficient EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.32 | $2.43 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Elgin, IL
Evening in Elgin on Monday
Local time
5:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°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
1 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 2m 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 Gurnee, IL to Elgin, IL covers 38 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are IL 59, New Sutton Road, IL 176. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19 miles from Gurnee, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.77 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 38 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.2 miles (North Riverside Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.8 miles (IL 176): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.2 miles (Barrington Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Gurnee, IL to Elgin, IL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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