Origin
Gurnee, IL
Afternoon in Gurnee on Monday
Local time
3:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gurnee, IL to Elmhurst, IL
Drive Time
51m
Distance
37.9 mi
61 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 0m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gurnee, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Elmhurst, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Gurnee, IL to Elmhurst, IL covers 37.9 miles and takes about 51m 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, Waukegan Road, Skokie 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 $5.76 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 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 51m drive with frequent turns across 37.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 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 16.6 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 37.9 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 16.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
16.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 294 / Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294 / Tri-State Tollway toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
8
35.9 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit toward I 290 West: Rockford, Elmhurst
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 33
Toward I 290 West: Rockford, Elmhurst
8
36.2 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit toward IL 64 West: North Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 13B
Toward IL 64 West: North Avenue
7
37.5 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
West 2nd Street
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
37.9 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Gurnee, IL to Elmhurst, IL, road signs begin pointing toward O'hare along the way.
O'hare
16.6 mi in
|
~21m
|
via I 294
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 30.3 mi | 37m |
| Waukegan Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Skokie Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East North Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Buckley Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| IL 43 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Grand Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North York Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 30.3 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gurnee, IL and Elmhurst, IL.
1
Start on North Greenleaf Street
92 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Greenleaf Street
2
Turn right onto IL 132
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Grand Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward US 41 South: Chicago
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto US 41
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Skokie Highway
5
Turn slight right onto IL 43
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
IL 43
Toward IL 43 South, IL 120 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on Waukegan Road
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Waukegan Road
7
Turn right onto IL 137
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Buckley Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 94 Toll East: Chicago
Use the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 94
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
19 mi
·
24 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 33
Toward I 290 West: Rockford, Elmhurst
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 290
464 ft
·
7 sec
·
I 290
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 13B
Toward IL 64 West: North Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Turn straight onto IL 64
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East North Avenue
15
Turn left onto North York Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
North York Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
335 ft
·
9 sec
·
West 2nd Street
Use the right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto West 2nd Street
127 ft
·
8 sec
·
West 2nd Street
18
At end of road, turn left onto North Addison Avenue
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Addison Avenue
19
Turn right onto Cottage Hill Avenue
230 ft
·
13 sec
·
Cottage Hill Avenue
20
Turn left onto West Park Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Park Avenue
21
Turn sharp left
65 ft
·
4 sec
22
Arrive at destination
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 24m 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 37.9 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmhurst, 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 37.9 miles and 51m.
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 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 19 mi from Gurnee, IL · 24m 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 37.9 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 Elmhurst, IL
The final approach into Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst, 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
$5.76 one way
$11.51 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.35 | $12.69 |
| premium | $4.80 | $7.15 | $14.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.42 | $16.84 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.82
Tri-state Tollway
(30.3 mi)
$1.82
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
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
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 | $3.98 | $1.82 |
| Efficient EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.31 | $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
Elmhurst, IL
Afternoon in Elmhurst on Monday
Local time
3:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 15 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:52PM CDT until April 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
18 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
51m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Elmhurst, IL covers 37.9 miles and takes about 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Waukegan Road, Skokie Highway. 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 $5.76 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 18 significant decision points across 37.9 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 16.6 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Gurnee, IL to Elmhurst, IL, road signs begin pointing toward O'hare along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Elmhurst, IL
More trips to Elmhurst, IL
Explore more options from Gurnee, IL or browse trips ending in Elmhurst, IL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IL road trips.
Explore maps for Gurnee, IL or Elmhurst, IL on MapSof.net.