Origin
Knollwood, IL
Afternoon in Knollwood on Friday
Local time
1:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Knollwood, IL to Elgin, IL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
58m
Distance
41.9 mi
67 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 54m
★
6 AM
0h 59m
8 AM
1h 8m
10 AM
1h 2m
12 PM
1h 1m
3 PM
1h 2m
5 PM
1h 8m
8 PM
0h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Knollwood, IL
Stéphane Tendon
Elgin, IL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Knollwood, IL to Elgin, IL covers 41.9 miles and takes about 58m 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, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Palatine Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 12.6 miles on Tri-State Tollway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.55 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 58m. Total distance: 41.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 58m drive with frequent turns across 41.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 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 12.6 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 11.8 miles in near I 294 / Tri-State Tollway.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 19 decision points packed into just 41.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 58m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.2 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
11.8 mi into trip
|
~15m 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
7
15.3 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward Willow Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 48
Toward Willow Road
8
26.2 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
IL 53
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 53 toward I 90 Toll: Rockford, Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 Toll: Rockford, Chicago
7
28.2 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the ramp toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
7
39 mi into trip
|
~52m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Knollwood, IL and Elgin, IL, road signs point toward O'hare and Chicago.
O'hare
11.8 mi in
|
~15m
|
via I 294
Chicago
26.2 mi in
|
~36m
|
via IL 53
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-State Tollway | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| Jane Addams Memorial Tollway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| Palatine Road | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| IL 53 | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Dundee Avenue | 2 mi | 3m |
| Rockland Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| West Algonquin Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Willow Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Tri-State Tollway
— 12.6 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Knollwood, IL and Elgin, IL.
1
Start on Plaister Avenue
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Plaister Avenue
2
Turn right onto IL 43
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
North Waukegan Road
3
Turn right onto IL 176
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Rockland Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 94 Toll East: Indiana
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 94
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 294
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Tri-State Tollway
Toward I 294 South Toll: Indiana, O'Hare
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 48
Toward Willow Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 48
9
Turn right onto Willow Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Willow Road
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on Palatine Road
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Palatine Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward IL 53 South
12
Merge onto IL 53
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
IL 53
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto IL 53
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
IL 53
Toward I 90 Toll: Rockford, Chicago
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward IL 62: Algonquin Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto IL 62
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Algonquin Road
16
Turn left onto North Meacham Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Meacham Road
Use the left lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 Toll West: Rockford
Use the right lane.
18
Merge onto I 90
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
504 ft
·
12 sec
Exit 56
Toward IL 25
Use the slight right lane.
20
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 56
Toward IL 25
21
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
this road
22
Turn left onto IL 25
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Dundee Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on Center Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Center Street
24
Turn right
311 ft
·
28 sec
25
Turn left onto East Chicago Street
117 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Chicago Street
26
Arrive at destination
East Chicago Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21 mi from Knollwood, IL · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21 miles from Knollwood, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Elgin, IL
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Elgin, IL if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.55 one way
$13.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.19 | $14.38 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.06 | $16.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.25 | $18.50 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.47
Tri-state Tollway
(12.6 mi)
$0.75
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway
(10.3 mi)
$0.72
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$1
Total
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.40 | $2.01 |
| Efficient EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.67 | $1.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.87 | $2.68 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% 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
Afternoon in Elgin on Friday
Local time
1:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
17 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
58m 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 Knollwood, IL to Elgin, IL covers 41.9 miles and takes about 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tri-State Tollway, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, Palatine Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21 miles from Knollwood, IL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.55 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 short but busy drive. With 19 decision points packed into just 41.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 58m.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles (I 294 / Tri-State Tollway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.2 miles (IL 53): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Knollwood, IL and Elgin, IL, road signs point toward O'hare and Chicago.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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